LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine University ...

3.2.1.5 Psychooncology
Director: J. Kruse, J. Hardt, W. Tress
Personnel: B. Clar, A. Grinschgl, C. Heckrath
The research group is investigating the possibility of
using communication training to optimise the doctor/
patient relationship between office-based medical doctors
and patients in oncology. In a project jointly funded by
the North Rhine Statutory Health Insurance Physicians’
Association and the Rhineland Health Insurance Funds
(AOK Rhineland), 30% of the office-based medical doctors
in Mönchengladbach were trained in communication
skills. The effects of the training were assessed using
standardised actor patients. The results impressively
documented the effects of this training. The doctors
responded more appropriately to their patients’ problems
and displayed a more patient-centred conversation style.
At the moment, the research group is taking part in multicentre
studies into doctor-patient communication funded by
the German Cancer Aid Association (Deutsche Krebshilfe).
It is investigating the effects of communication training on
oncologists. Another focus is the evaluation of the integrated
care programme for patients in oncology, “JaVita”, in
Mönchengladbach. The effects of a consultation centre for
oncology patients in Mönchengladbach are being evaluated,
with the central target criterion being the improvement in
the patients’ quality of life.
3.2.1.6 Psychosomatic epidemiology
Director: N. Schmitz, J. Kruse, W. Tress
The research group is looking at the evaluation of
population-based datasets. Using the data from the German
Federal Health Survey and in cooperation with the Robert-
Koch Institute, the project group elucidated the relationship
between mental disorders and the illness behaviour
and illness experiences of people with chronic somatic
disorders. The research group identified an increased
prevalence of depressive disorders in people with diabetes
as well as a relationship between depressive symptoms and
limited quality, lack of physical activity, increased nicotine
dependence rates and reduced quality of life. The research
group found that people with mental disorders are clearly
less able to manage their known hypertonia correctly with
medications, and that they display a risky illness behaviour.
3.2.1.7 Psychosomatic basic care
Director: J. Kruse, W. Tress
Personnel: C. Heckrath, N. Schmitz
ReseaRch
The research group deals with the question of diagnosing
medical disorders in general practice. Within the context
of a field study, the diagnostics of these disorders and the
determinants of the diagnostic process were studied in
more detail. The research group identified the significance
of doctor/patient communication for the diagnostic process.
The research group was able to prove empirically that
a conversation dominated by the doctor considerably
influences the patient’s description of health problems
and makes it harder to diagnose mental disorders.
Simultaneously, individual discussion strategies could be
identified which enable the patient to open up. The research
group also investigated sex-specific aspects, although no
difference could be identified between the communication
behaviour of male and female medical doctors.
3.2.1.8 Research group on clinical documentation and
evaluation of inpatient psychotherapeutic
treatment
Director: N. Hartkamp, W. Tress
Colleagues: S. Michalek, N. Schmitz
One basis of quality assurance in the area of psychosomatic
and psychotherapeutic medicine is documentation, including
psychometric investigation data. Previous experience
shows that psychometric investigation data provide a not
inconsiderable amount of information, which is helpful
when estimating prognosis. A frequently occurring problem
is the fact that the evaluation of psychometric data
occurs with such a time delay that it is no longer of use to
current treatment. For this reason, a network-supported
computerised application was set up. This allows basic
documentation data and data from psychometric findings to
be collected together as so-called “report cards” and made
rapidly available to doctors. The system is in use in around
10 other departments, including two university departments
of psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy
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