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Stefania Di Gangi, Stefan Markun, Thomas Rosemann, Andreas Plate Institute of Primary Care, University and University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, SwitzerlandCorrespondence: Stefania Di GangiInstitute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Pestalozzistrasse 24, Zürich 8091, SwitzerlandTel +41 44 255 75 02Fax +41 44 255 90 97Email stefania.digangi@usz.chPurpose: Sleeping disturbances are highly prevalent in the general population, and pharmacological drug treatment harbours the risk of serious side effects. Many affected persons use dietary supplements for self-treating their symptoms, but little is known about the specific characteristics and preferences of these patients. Even less evidence exists about the consequences of a specific dietary supplement usage on health care utilization. The aim of this study was to explore characteristics, preferences and the impact on health care utilization in patients using a specific over-the-counter dietary supplement, which is promoted for improving sleeping disturbances.Patients and Methods: We conducted a structured survey and invited a sample of 297 customers of a specific dietary supplement to participate. The survey was open between June and September 2020. Participants were invited by email. All participants accepted an informed consent.Results: A total of 127 customers participated in the survey (participation rate: 42.8%). Of them, 87.7% were female and the mean age 50.5 years. Participants reported an overall good improvement of symptoms (7.66 on a ten-point Likert-scale) and showed a strong belief in the effectiveness of supplements in general; 67% of participants reported that the intake led to fever physician encounters, and 48.3% reported that they could stop the intake of other pharmaceutical sleeping drugs.Conclusion: A significant proportion of participants reported a substantial reduction in pharmaceutical drug use and health care utilization. While these self-reports lack an adequate control, they are still real consumer experiences, and the large beneficial effects – whether placebo or not – explain the popularity of such supplements and their therapeutic potential in sleeping disorders.Keywords: supplement use, sleeping disorders, usage patterns, drugs, health care utilization

Background Micronutrient laboratory tests (MLT) are increasing in many healthcare systems. This study assessed time trends of annual MLT incidence in the Swiss population and examined the frequency of specific MLT, defined as the number of yearly tests performed in individual persons. Methods For annual time trends, we used a longitudinal design with a seven-year observation period (2012-2018) and for yearly testing frequency we used a cross-sectional design (2018 only). The database consisted of nationwide insurance claims from adult persons. Results Persons with MLT compared to persons without were older (mean age 57.1 years vs 48.6 years) and to a higher proportion female (65.1% vs 45.5%). Between 2012 and 2018, we included 6.7 million person years and found an increase in the proportion of persons receiving any MLT from 24.5% to 35.0%. Tests with strongest absolute increase during the observation period were vitamin D (from 7.4% of persons to 20.4%), vitamin B12 (from 9.0% to 17.6%) and ferritin (from 17.4% to 26.6%). In 2018, vitamin D and vitamin B12 tests were performed more than once in 4.5% and 3.3% of the population, respectively. Conclusion We found that the Swiss population undergoes MLT with high and increasing frequency. Testing for vitamin D, vitamin B12 and ferritin is very common and of questionable appropriateness.

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health issue affecting approximately 4% to 7% of the Swiss population. According to current inpatient guidelines, systemic corticosteroids are important in the treatment of acute COPD exacerbations and should be given for 5 to 7 days. Several studies suggest that corticosteroids accelerate the recovery of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), enhance oxygenation, decrease the duration of hospitalization, and improve clinical outcomes. However, the additional therapeutic benefit regarding FEV1 recovery appears to be most apparent in the first 3 to 5 days. No data are available on the optimum duration of corticosteroid treatment in primary-care patients with acute COPD exacerbations. Given that many COPD patients are treated as outpatients, there is an urgent need to improve the evidence base on COPD management in this setting. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a 3-day treatment with orally administered corticosteroids is non-inferior to a 5-day treatment in acute exacerbations of COPD in a primary-care setting. Methods/design This study is a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in a primary-care setting. It is anticipated that 470 patients with acutely exacerbated COPD will be recruited. Participants are randomized to receive systemic corticosteroid treatment of 40 mg prednisone daily for 5 days (conventional arm, n = 235) or for 3 days followed by 2 days of placebo (experimental arm, n = 235). Antibiotic treatment for 7 days is given to all patients with CRP ≥ 50 mg/l, those with a known diagnosis of bronchiectasis, or those presenting with Anthonisen type I exacerbation. Additional treatment after inclusion is left at the discretion of the treating general practitioner. Follow-up visits are performed on days 3 and 7, followed by telephone interviews on days 30, 90, and 180 after inclusion in the study. The primary endpoint is the time to next exacerbation during the 6-month follow-up period. Discussion The study is designed to assess whether a 3-day course of corticosteroid treatment is not inferior to the conventional 5-day treatment course in outpatients with exacerbated COPD regarding time to next exacerbation. Depending on the results, this trial may lead to a reduction in the cumulative corticosteroid dose in COPD patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02386735. Registered on 12 March 2015.

Aims: To synthesize the empirical evidence on the effectiveness of shared decision making (SDM) compared to usual care for prostate cancer (PC) treatment. Methods and results: A systematic review of academic (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINHAL, PsychINFO, and Scopus) and grey (clinicaltrials.gov, WHO trial search, meta-Register ISRCTN, Google Scholar, opengrey, and ohri.ca) literature, also identified from contacting authors and hand-searching bibliographies. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs): 1) comparing SDM to usual care for decisions about PC treatment, 2) conducted in primary or specialized care, 3) fulfilling the key SDM features, and 4) reporting quantitative outcome data. Four RCTs from Canada (n=3) and the USA were included and comprised 1,065 randomized men, most (89.8%) of whom were in PC stage T1-T2. The studies reported 24 outcome measures. In 62.5% study estimates, SDM was similar to usual care at improving patient satisfaction and mood, and at reducing decisional conflict and decisional regret. In 37.5% study estimates, SDM significantly improved knowledge, perception of being informed and patient-perceived quality of life (QoL) at four weeks. There was a dearth of outcome data, particularly on the adherence to treatment and on patient-important and clinically relevant health outcomes such as symptoms and mortality. Conclusion: SDM may positively influence men’s knowledge and may have a positive but short-term effect on patient-perceived QoL. The (long-term) effects of SDM on patient-related outcomes for decisions about PC treatment are unclear. Future research needs consensus about the interventions and outcomes needed to evaluate SDM and should address the absence of evidence on health outcomes.

Background: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide, and a large body of evidence raises concerns about their inappropriate use. Previous estimates of inappropriate use varied due to different definitions and study populations. Aims: We aimed to measure the population-based incidence and time trends of PPI and potentially inappropriate PPI prescriptions (PIPPI) with a novel method, continuously assessing excessive cumulative doses based on clinical practice guidelines. We also assessed association of patient characteristics with PPI prescriptions and PIPPI. Methods: This was an observational study based on a large insurance claims database of persons aged >18 years with continuous claims records of ⩾12 months. The observation period was January 2012 to December 2017. We assessed the incidence and time trends of PPI prescriptions and PIPPI based on doses prescribed, defining ⩾11.5 g of pantoprazole dose equivalents during any consecutive 365 days (average daily dose >31 mg) as inappropriate. Results: Among 1,726,491 eligible persons, the annual incidence of PPI prescriptions increased from 19.7% (2012) to 23.0% (2017), ( p = Conclusions: This study provides evidence that one of the most prescribed drug groups is commonly prescribed inappropriately in the general population and that this trend is increasing. Multimorbidity and drugs with bleeding risks were strong determinants of PIPPI. Addressing PPI prescriptions exceeding guideline recommendations could reduce polypharmacy and improve patient safety.

Vitamin B12 is often used to improve cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. In most cases, such complaints are not associated with overt vitamin B12 deficiency or advanced neurological disorders and the effectiveness of vitamin B12 supplementation in such cases is uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to assess the effects of vitamin B12 alone (B12 alone), in addition to vitamin B12 and folic acid with or without vitamin B6 (B complex) on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and idiopathic fatigue in patients without advanced neurological disorders or overt vitamin B12 deficiency. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched. A total of 16 RCTs with 6276 participants were included. Regarding cognitive function outcomes, we found no evidence for an effect of B12 alone or B complex supplementation on any subdomain of cognitive function outcomes. Further, meta-regression showed no significant associations of treatment effects with any of the potential predictors. We also found no overall effect of vitamin supplementation on measures of depression. Further, only one study reported effects on idiopathic fatigue, and therefore, no analysis was possible. Vitamin B12 supplementation is likely ineffective for improving cognitive function and depressive symptoms in patients without advanced neurological disorders.

Guidelines recommend initiation of statins depending on cardiovascular risk and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to assess guideline concordance of statin treatment decisions and to find determinants of undertreatment in Swiss primary care in the period 2016&ndash, 2019. We drew on electronic medical records of 8060 statin-naive patients (50.0% female, median age 59 years) with available LDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk. Guideline concordance was assessed based on the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology, and multilevel logistic regression was performed to find determinants of undertreatment. We found that statin treatment was initiated in 10.2% of patients (50.0% female, median age 59 years) during one year of follow up. Treatment decisions were classified as guideline-concordant in 63.0%, as undertreatment in 35.8% and as overtreatment in 1.2%. Among determinants of undertreatment were small deviation from LDL-C treatment thresholds (odds ratio per decrease by 1 mmol/L: 2.09 [95% confidence interval 1.87&ndash, 2.35]), high compared with very high cardiovascular risk (1.64 [1.30&ndash, 2.05]), female sex (1.31 [1.05&ndash, 1.64]), and being treated by older general practitioners (per 10 year decrease: 0.74 [0.61&ndash, 0.90]). In conclusion, undertreatment of patients at high or very high cardiovascular risk was common, but general practitioners considered cardiovascular risk and LDL-C in their treatment decisions.

Laboratory tests are frequently ordered by general practitioners (GPs), but little is known about time trends and between-GP variation of their use. In this retrospective longitudinal study, we analyzed over six million consultations by Swiss GPs during the decade 2009&ndash, 2018. For 15 commonly used test types, we defined specific laboratory testing rates (sLTR) as the percentage of consultations involving corresponding laboratory testing requests. Patient age- and sex-adjusted time trends of sLTR were modeled with mixed-effect logistic regression accounting for clustering of patients within GPs. We quantified between-GP variation by means of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Nine out of the 15 laboratory test types considered showed significant temporal increases, most eminently vitamin D (ten-year odds ratio (OR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71&ndash, 2.06) and glycated hemoglobin (ten-year OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.82&ndash, 1.92). Test types both subject to substantial increase and high between-GP variation of sLTR were vitamin D (ICC 0.075), glycated hemoglobin (ICC 0.101), C-reactive protein (ICC 0.202), and vitamin B12 (ICC 0.166). Increasing testing frequencies and large between-GP variation of specific test type use pointed at inconsistencies of medical practice and potential overuse.

AIMS Statins decrease the risk of fatal CVD by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Guidelines suggest that statin treatment strategies should be guided by CV risk, but little is known about statin treatment in Swiss general practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate statin treatment and LDL target achievement rates, including their predictors, in patients treated by Swiss general practitioners (GPs). METHODS Retrospective observational study of statin-treated patients in 2018 using a general practice electronic medical records database. CV risk categories were defined according to the ESC guidelines published in 2016. We used multilevel logistic regression models to find associations between patient and GP demographic factors and LDL target achievement. RESULTS We analysed 11,779 statin-treated patients, of whom 59% were at a high or very high risk of fatal CVD. High-intensity statin treatment was used in 39% of patients, and LDL measurement was performed at least once in 54% of patients. Achievement of LDL target levels across CV risk categories was 36% in very high-risk, 56% in high-risk, and 66% in low-/moderate-risk patients, and generally higher for male patients. CONCLUSIONS Although over half of patients were at a high or very high risk of fatal CVD, the majority did not receive high-intensity statin treatment. Only a third of very high-risk patients achieved LDL target values, and there was a gender gap in LDL target achievement disadvantaging female patients. Results from this study suggest that current treatment may warrant reconsideration in a large proportion of patients treated with statins in Swiss general practice.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the 2019 published European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guideline on cardiovascular (CV) risk management compared with its predecessor from 2016 in a cohort in general practice. We performed a cross-sectional retrospective study with data from electronic medical records. The study cohort included 103,351 patients with known CV risk. We assessed changes in CV risk classification and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target values, the impact on LDL-C achievement rates, and the current lipid-lowering treatments. Under the 2019 ESC guideline, CV risk categories changed in 27.5% of patients, LDL-C target levels decreased in 71.4% of patients, and LDL-C target achievement rate dropped from 31.1% to 16.5%. Among non-achievers according to the 2019 guideline, 52.2% lacked lipid-lowering drugs entirely, and 41.5% had conventional drugs at a submaximal intensity. Of patients in the high-risk and very high-risk categories, at least 5% failed to achieve the LDL-C target level despite treatment at maximal intensity with conventional lipid-lowering drugs, making them eligible for PCSK-9 inhibitors. In conclusion, the 2019 ESC/EAS guideline lowered LDL-C target values for the majority of patients in general practice and halved LDL-C target achievement rates. There is still a large undeveloped potential to lower CV risk by introducing conventional lipid-lowering drugs, particularly in patients at high or very high CV risk. A substantial proportion of the patients can only achieve their LDL-C targets using PCSK-9 inhibitors, which would currently require an at least 10-fold increase in prescribing of these drugs.

Sima Djalali,Ryan Tandjung, Thomas Rosemann,Stefan Markun Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Background: Facing the upcoming shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs), medical and governmental organizations have recently made major investments to foster vocational training programs in Switzerland, designed to provide context-specific training for trainees in primary care practices. Less is known about the impact of these programs on the skills and specific knowledge of trainees. We aimed to evaluate the Cantonal program for vocational primary care training in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland’s largest Canton.Methods: We undertook a pretest–posttest study and surveyed physicians before and after participating in the Cantonal program for vocational primary care training in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. All trainees who participated in the program from 2013 until the end of 2015 were eligible. Primary outcome was the proportion of trainees being confident about their professional, organizational, examination and management skills before and after completing vocational training. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of trainees stating knowledge gain in entrepreneurship and the proportion of trainees being motivated to pursue a career as PCP.Results: Data of 47 trainees participating in the vocational training between 2013 and 2015 were eligible. In total, 35 (74.5%) participated in the T1 survey and 34 (72.3%) in the T2 survey. At T2, significantly more trainees (T1: 11%−89%, T2: 79%−100%) stated to be at least “slightly confident” about their skills (p

Background Intravenous iron supplementation (IVIS) is increasing in Swiss general practice. This is controversial because of higher costs and risks compared with oral iron supplementation (OIS). In this study, we aimed to investigate indications for OIS and IVIS in Swiss general practice and test which factors are associated with prescribing IVIS instead of OIS. Methods This was a retrospective observational study using data from electronic medical records of 279 Swiss general practitioners (GPs), including all their patients at their first OIS and IVIS administration who were at least 14 years old and with available pretreatment serum ferritin and haemoglobin measurements. We also collected data about the following comorbidities: chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3b or higher, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic heart failure and restless legs syndrome. Outcomes were proportions of cases treated with IVIS or OIS by assumed indication (anaemic or non-anaemic iron deficiency [NAID]) or the abovementioned comorbidities. We evaluated associations with IVIS prescription using regression models adjusting for patient and GP variables. Results We assessed 1282 IVIS and 3003 OIS cases (median age 44 and 40 years, female in 86.7 and 88.6%, respectively). The most important indication for both IVIS and OIS was NAID (59.4 and 74.7%, respectively). Significant associations with prescribing IVIS instead of OIS were the severity of iron deficiency (reflected by serum ferritin levels and the presence of anaemia), the presence of advanced CKD, IBD and male sex of the GP. There was a time trend towards increasing serum ferritin levels associated with initiation of IVIS in NAID. Conclusion When preferring IVIS to OIS, Swiss GPs seem to consider severity of iron deficiency and comorbid conditions. However, pretreatment serum ferritin levels in IVIS for NAID are increasing, suggesting an ongoing indication extension and potential overuse.

BACKGROUND Research on individual general practitioner (GP) workload, e.g. in terms of consultation counts, is scarce. Accurate measures are desirable because GPs' consultation counts might be related to their work satisfaction and arguably, there is a limit to the number of consultations a GP can hold per day without jeopardizing quality of care. Moreover, understanding the association of consultation counts with GP characteristics is crucial given current trends in general practice, such as the increasing proportion of female GPs, part-time work and group practices. AIM The aim of this study was to describe GPs' consultation counts and efficiency and to assess associations with GP and practice variables. METHODS In this retrospective observational study we used routine data in electronic medical records obtained from 245 Swiss GPs in 2018. We described GPs' daily consultation counts as well as their efficiencies (i.e. total consultation counts adjusted for part-time work) and used hierarchical linear models to find associations of the GPs' total consultation counts in 2018 with GP- and practice-level variables. RESULTS The median daily consultation count was 28 over all GPs and 33 for full-time working GPs. Total consultation counts increased non-linearly with part-time status, with high part-time working GPs (60%-90% of full-time) being equally or more efficient than full-time workers. Excluding part-time status in the regression resulted in higher consultation counts for male GPs working in single practices and with older patients, whereas part-time adjusted consultation counts were unaffected by GP gender and practice type. CONCLUSION Female gender, part-time work in the range of 60%-90% of full-time, and working in group practices do not decrease GP efficiency. However, the challenge of recruiting sufficient numbers of GPs remains.

Background: Recruiting patients for research in primary care is difficult with diseases that tend to remain underdiagnosed, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers may consider introducing case finding into patient recruitment, but the impact on recruitment yield is largely unknown. Objectives: To assess the impact of case finding on recruitment yield and population characteristics in primary care-based COPD research. Methods: For a cluster randomized controlled trial of COPD in primary care, an opportunistic case finding strategy was introduced into patient recruitment, in addition to recruiting patients with previously diagnosed COPD. The recruitment process and performance of the primary care physicians (PCPs) were analysed. The numbers and characteristics of patients identified by case finding were compared with those of patients with previously diagnosed COPD. Results: Thirty-five PCPs approached 398 patients and successfully recruited 216 patients during 1 year. The mean number of patients recruited was 6.3 (range 0-16) per PCP. Case finding contributed 71 patients (32.9%) with significantly milder disease, with FEV1 % predicted +16.7 (95% CI: +11.3 to +22.0), a COPD Assessment Test difference of -4 points (95% CI: -2 to -6; p < 0.001), and fewer exacerbations resulting in a higher rate of GOLD class A (85.9 vs. 45.5%; p < 0.001). The smoking rate was significantly higher among patients with newly diagnosed COPD (70.4 vs. 48.6%; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Case finding increased the number of patients recruited by 50%. The COPD patients identified by case finding differed importantly from those with previously diagnosed COPD. Researchers should be aware of COPD underdiagnosis and the potential impact of case finding during patient recruitment.

BACKGROUND To address low-value interventions in healthcare, “Choosing Wisely” campaigns provide recommendations of interventions to avoid (RIAs). These are usually developed by expert panels rather than general practitioners (GPs). The aim of our study was to develop RIAs for ambulatory general medicine based on the suggestions of GPs, with their involvement from the very beginning. METHODS This was a nationwide online Delphi survey among Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine members. In round one, each participant suggested two interventions perceived as particularly inappropriate. In round two, the 16 most frequent RIAs were rated by importance on a 0–100 scale and compared with “Choosing Wisely” lists. We calculated descriptive statistics for suggestions and importance ratings, and used regression models to search for associations with GP characteristics. RESULTS Response rates were 7.4% (538/7318) for round one and 18.2% (1357/7468) for round two. GPs provided 1074 suggestions. Out of the 16 most frequent RIAs, 13 corresponded to existing “Choosing Wisely” lists. The RIAs rated most important were: antibiotics in viral infections, unnecessarily duplicated tests and imaging in unspecific low back pain (means 88.5–91.7, standard deviations 18.6–19.9). None of the GPs’ characteristics were associated with any of the five highest rated RIAs except for working in a hospital setting. CONCLUSION Most RIA suggestions from GPs were concordant with previously published recommendations of interventions to avoid, independently of GPs knowledge of these and reflecting their high clinical relevance. In addition, our study revealed some more relevant topics and may help to develop future “Choosing Wisely” recommendations, with the final goal to reduce low-value care.

INTRODUCTION: Men facing prostate cancer screening and treatment need to make critical and highly preference-sensitive decisions that involve a variety of potential benefits and risks. Shared decision-making (SDM) is considered fundamental for "preference-sensitive" medical decisions and it is guideline-recommended. There is no single definition of SDM however. We systematically reviewed the extent of SDM implementation in interventions to facilitate SDM for prostate cancer screening and treatment. METHODS: We searched Medline Ovid, Embase (Elsevier), CINHAL (EBSCOHost), The Cochrane Library (Wiley), PsychINFO (EBSCOHost), Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov, ISRCTN registry, the WHO search portal, ohri.ca, opengrey.eu, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of included studies, clinical guidelines and relevant reviews. We also contacted the authors of relevant abstracts without available full text. We included primary peer-reviewed and grey literature of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reported in English, conducted in primary and specialised care, addressing interventions aiming to facilitate SDM for prostate cancer screening and treatment. Two reviewers independently selected studies, appraised interventions and assessed the extent of SDM implementation based on the key features of SDM, namely information exchange, deliberation and implementation. We considered bi-directional deliberation as a central and mandatory component of SDM. We performed a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Thirty-six RCTs including 19 196 randomised patients met the eligibility criteria; they were mainly conducted in North America (n = 28). The median year of publication was 2008 (1997-2015). Twenty-three RCTs addressed decision-making for screening, twelve for treatment and one for both screening and treatment for prostate cancer. Bi-directional interactions between healthcare providers and patients were verified in 31 RCTs, but only 14 fulfilled the three key SDM features, 14 had at least "deliberation", one had "unclear deliberation" and two had no signs of deliberation. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant variation in the extent of SDM implementation among studies addressing SDM for prostate cancer screening and treatment. Further evaluation of these results on patient outcomes, a standardised SDM definition and guidance for an effective implementation in several clinical settings are needed.

Background Explanation models for the effectiveness of homeopathy are not supported by natural sciences and the aggregated evidence from clinical trials is unconvincing. From this standpoint, placebo effects seem the most obvious explanation for the therapeutic effects experienced in homeopathy. Still, many physicians continue to prescribe homeopathic treatments. Objectives Whether physicians who prescribe homeopathic treatments aim to achieve placebo effects or actually believe in specific effects is poorly understood. However, this distinction has important educational and ethical implications. Therefore, we aimed to describe the use of homeopathy among physicians working in outpatient care, factors associated with prescribing homeopathy, and the therapeutic intentions and attitudes involved. Methods All physicians working in outpatient care in the Swiss Canton of Zurich in the year 2015 (n = 4072) were approached. Outcomes of the study were: association of prescribing homeopathy with medical specialties (odds ratios [OR] and 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] from multivariable logistic regression); intentions behind prescriptions (to induce specific or nonspecific/placebo effects); level of agreement with specific attitudes; and views towards homeopathy including explanatory models, rating of homeopathy's evidence base, the endorsement of indications, and reimbursement of homeopathic treatment by statutory health insurance providers. Results The participation rate was 38%, mean age 54 years, 61% male, and 40% specialised in general internal medicine. Homeopathy was prescribed at least once a year by 23% of the respondents. Medical specialisations associated with prescribing homeopathy were: no medical specialisation (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.7-9.0), specialisation in paediatrics (OR 3.8 95% CI 1.8-8.0) and gynaecology/obstetrics (OR 3.1 95% CI 1.5-6.7). Among prescribers, only 50% clearly intended to induce specific homeopathic effects, only 27% strongly adhered to homeopathic prescription doctrines, and only 23% thought there was scientific evidence to prove homeopathy's effectiveness. Seeing homeopathy as a way to induce placebo effects had the strongest endorsement among prescribers and non-prescribers of homeopathy (63% and 74% endorsement respectively). Reimbursement of homeopathic remedies by statutory health insurance was rejected by 61% of all respondents. Conclusion Medical specialties use homeopathy with significantly varying frequency and only half of the prescribers clearly intend to achieve specific effects. Moreover, the majority of prescribers acknowledge that effectiveness is unproven and give little importance to traditional principles behind homeopathy. Medical specialties and associated patient demands but also physicians' openness towards placebo interventions may play a role in homeopathy prescriptions. Education should therefore address not only the evidence base of homeopathy, but also ethical dilemmas with placebo interventions.

Background: Comprehensive COPD care is complex and shortcomings in quality are common in primary care. Objectives: To test whether a multifaceted intervention delivered to general practitioners (GPs) and their practice assistants’ increases implementation of recommended COPD care. Methods: Cluster- randomized trial on GP-level. The intervention was designed to governing evidence-based decision making and behaviour supported by a “Primary care COPD care bundle”. Data was collected using questionnaires at GP and patient level at baseline and one year after the intervention. The primary outcome was the composite score of implemented care elements measured at the patient level. Results: Thirty-five GPs and 216 patients median age 69 years, 59% female, 69% GOLD stadium A or B were enrolled, 161 patients completed follow-up. After one year the composite score of implemented care increased from 4.7 to 6.1 (+1.4) in the intervention group and decreased from 5.3 to 4.4 (-0.9) in the control group. Linear regression model adjusting for baseline characteristics revealed a between-group difference of +2.0 (95% CI +1.2 to +2.8) implemented processes in favour of the intervention group. . The intervention increased implementation in 9 out of 15 processes (figure). Conclusion: Coaching of primary care teams including a COPD care bundle helped transferring knowledge to clinical practice and resulted in improved COPD care .

Stefan Markun,1,* Daniel P Franzen,2,* Kaba Dalla Lana,1 Swantje Beyer,3 Stephan Wieser,4 Thomas Hess,3 Malcolm Kohler,2 Thomas Rosemann,1 Oliver Senn,1 Claudia Steurer-Stey1,5 1Institute of Primary Care, 2Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, 3Department of Pneumology, Cantonal Hospital of Winterthur, Winterthur, 4Department of Pneumology, City Hospital Waid, 5MediX Group Practice Ltd, Zurich, Switzerland *These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: Hospitalizations because of acute exacerbated COPD (AECOPD) are a major burden to patients and the health care system. Interventions during acute and post-acute hospital care exist not only to improve short-term outcomes but also to prevent future exacerbations and disease progression. We aimed at measuring the implementation rates of acute and post-acute hospital care interventions for AECOPD.Methods: We performed 24months (January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013) retrospective medical chart review of consecutive cases hospitalized to one of three public hospitals in the canton of Zurich due to AECOPD. Implementation rates of five acute care and seven post-acute care interventions were assessed.Results: Data from 263 hospitalizations (61% male, mean age 68.5years, 47% active smokers) were analyzed. The median length of stay was 9days (interquartile range [IQR] 6–12days). In all, 32% of hospitalizations were caused by individuals with previous hospitalizations because of AECOPD. Implementation rates of four acute care interventions were >75% (lowest was appropriate antibiotic therapy with 56%). Compared to this, implementation rates of five post-acute care interventions were

Background Swiss primary care (PC) is facing workforce shortage. Up to 2011 this workforce was supplied by two board certifications: general medicine and internal medicine. To strengthen them against subspecialties, they were unified into one: general internal medicine. However, since unification general practitioners’ career options are no longer restrained by early commitment to PC. This may lead to a decrease of future primary care physicians (PCPs). Methods To gain insights in timing and factors influencing career choice of internists, we addressed a cross sectional survey to all board certified internists in the years 2000–2010 (n = 1462). Main measures were: final career choice (PCPs, hospital internists or subspecialists), timing and factors influencing career choice, and attractiveness of PCP career during medical school and residency. Results Response rate was 53.2%, 44.8% were female and median age was 45 years old. Final career choice was PCP for 39.1% of participants, 15.0% chose to become hospital internists, 41.8% became subspecialists and 4.0% other. Timing of career choice significantly differed between groups. Most of the subspecialists have chosen their career during residency (65.3%), while only 21.9% of the PCPs chose during residency. Work experience in an academic hospital was negatively associated with becoming PCP (P

Background/Aim: Pivotal objectives of self-management programs are behavior change, coping and better health related quality of life (HRQL). The effects of the “Living well with COPD” (LWWCOPD) self-management program and usual care on coping, HRQL, smoking cessation and exacerbation frequency at 24 months were compared in COPD patients from primary care. Method: Prospective non-randomized controlled study with COPD patients who participated in the “LWWCOPD” program adapted to primary care in Switzerland. COPD patients from the primary care-based COPD Cohort ICE COLD ERIC(http://www.ClinicalTrials.govNCT00706602) served as control. The primary outcome was coping measured by the mastery domain of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ). We performed multivariate regression analyses where we accounted for the lack of randomization with propensity scores. Results: 71 patients were in the self- management and 385 in the usual care cohort. Patients with the self-management program had significantly higher mastery scores (0.71(95% CI 0.28-1.13)), significantly less moderate to severe exacerbations (incidence rate ratio 0.68(95% CI 0.48-0.97)) and significantly more patients quit smoking (odds ratio 0.26 (95% CI 0.07-0.95). There was an effect on fatigue (0.75(95% CI 0.28-1.22)) whereas the effect just did not reach statistical significance for dyspnea (0.50, 95% CI -0.03-1.03) and emotional function (0.40, 95% CI -0.03-0.82, all CRQ). Conclusion: The LWWCOPD intervention in a primary care setting showed long-term benefits on coping, exacerbations and smoking cessation behavior.

Disease management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is complex and shortcomings in general practice care for COPD are common. A care bundle is a disease management aid used as a reminder and for steering specific elements of care. Our objectives were to test whether a COPD care bundle delivered to general practitioners (GPs) and practice assistants increases the implementation of key elements of COPD care.The study was a cluster-randomised clinical trial, with 1:1 randomisation of GPs and a 1-year follow-up. The intervention introduced a COPD care bundle and aimed at enhancing collaboration between GPs and practice assistants. The control group continued usual care. The primary outcome measure was the composite score from nine key elements of COPD care measured at the patient level.We enrolled 35 GPs and 216 patients with a median age of 69 years, 59% female, 69% Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease group A or B. After 1 year, the between-group difference in change of the primary outcome measure was +2.2 (95% CI +1.5– +2.9) in favour of the intervention group. The intervention was associated with significantly higher implementation rates in seven out of nine key elements of care.Disease management using a COPD care bundle increased the implementation of key elements of COPD care in general practice.

Leistungsmessgrössen in der Grundversorgung von Patienten mit COPD – eine Analyse Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Das Befolgen der Empfehlungen für ein gutes Management der chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenkrankheit (COPD) verbessert wichtige Endpunkte. Leistungsmessgrössen (LM) reflektieren die Qualität der Betreuung, dennoch existieren über die Dokumentation dieser Messgrössen bei COPD für die Grundversorgung kaum Daten. Ziel: Überprüfen der Dokumentation von COPD spezifischen Messgrössen in Grundversorgerpraxen des Kanton Zürich. Methode: Retrospektive Auswertung der Krankengeschichten von Patienten mit ärztlich diagnostizierter COPD, über einen Zeitraum von zwölf Monaten. Die Dokumentation der LM wurde durch Berechnen des Prozentsatzes der dokumentierten Parameter bewertet. Zusätzlich erfolgte ein Vergleich der LM Dokumentation mit einer Praxis, die ein strukturiertes COPD-Programm implementiert hatte. Resultate: Es wurden Daten von 115 Patienten aus 14 Praxen, davon 57% männlich, mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 68 (44–93) Jahren, analysiert. 46% waren aktive Raucher mit 56 (22–150 py) Packyears. Komorbiditäten waren in 73% der Fälle dokumentiert, der Schweregrad mit GOLD-Klassifizierung in 70% (GOLD I 11%, GOLD II 64%, GOLD III 21%, GOLD IV 4%).Gemäss Dokumentation hatten die Patienten durchschnittlich 1,4 Exazerbationen pro Jahr. Die Dokumentation der LM lag zwischen 16% (schriftlicher Aktionsplan im Falle von Exazerbationen) und 95% (Raucherstatus). Eine Dokumentation für eine Rauchstopp-Empfehlung fand sich in 74% der Fälle, für die Grippeimpfung in 49%. Eine adäquate medikamentöse Therapie und Instruktion der Inhalation war für 65 bzw. 57%, für pulmonale Rehabilitation in 27% der Patienten dokumentiert. Angaben zu einer kollaborativen und proaktiven Betreuung fanden sich bei 60 resp. 51%. Die Praxis mit dem laufenden COPD-Programm zeigte eine signifikant bessere Dokumentation (p

Background In real life, outcomes in wet age related macular degeneration (W-AMD) continue to fall behind the results from randomized controlled trials. The aim of this trial was to assess if outcomes can be improved by an intervention in healthcare organization following recommendations of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). Methods Multi-centered randomized controlled clinical trial. The multifaceted intervention consisted in reorganization of care (delivery by trained chronic care coaches, using reminder systems, performing structured follow-up, empowering patients in self-monitoring and giving decision-support). In the control usual care was continued. Main outcome measures were changes in ETDRS visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular retinal thickness and quality of life (NEI VFQ-25 questionnaire). Results 169 consecutive patients in Swiss ophthalmology centers were included. Mean ETDRS baseline visual acuity of eyes with W-AMD was 57.8 (± 18.7). After 12 months, the between-group difference in mean change of ETDRS visual acuity was -4.8 (95%CI: -10.8 to +1.2, p = 0.15); difference in mean change of OCT was +14.0 (95% CI -39.6 to 67.6, p = 0.60); difference in mean change of NEI VFQ-25 composite score mean change was +2.1(95%CI: -1.3 to +5.5, p = 0.19). Conclusions The intervention aiming at improving chronic care was not associated with favorable outcomes within 12 months. Other approaches need to be tested to close the evidence-performance gap in W-AMD. Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN32507927

Background Switzerland is facing a shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs); government organizations therefore suggested a broad variety of interventions to promote primary care. The aim of the study was to prioritize these interventions according to the acceptance and perceived barriers of most relevant groups of physicians in this context (hospital physicians and PCPs). Methods The study was conducted during summer 2014. An online-based questionnaire assessed demographic data, working conditions and future plans. Participants were asked to rank the usefulness of 22 interventions to promote primary care. Interventions to promote primary care that received ratings of 4 or 5 on the Likert scale (corresponding to “useful” or “very useful”) by at least 80 % of the participants were categorized as interventions with very high acceptance. We analyzed whether the groups (PCPs, hospital physicians) ranked the interventions differently using the Mann–Whitney U test. We assumed a two tailed p

Skin cancer screening has undoubted potential to reduce cancer-specific morbidity and mortality. Total-body exams remain the prevailing concept of skin cancer screening even if effectiveness and value of this method are controversial. Meanwhile, store and forward teledermatology was shown to be a reliable instrument for several diagnostic purposes mostly in specialized dermatology settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate most convenient mobile teledermatology interventions as instruments for skin cancer screening in a representative population.Prospective diagnostic study with visitors of a skin cancer screening campaign in Switzerland. Histopathology was used as reference standard. Mobile teledermatology with or without dermoscopic images was assessed for performance as a screening test (i.e., rule-in or rule-out the need for further testing). Outcomes were sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.Seven cases of skin cancer were present among 195 skin lesions. All skin cancers were ruled-in by teledermatology with or without dermoscopic images (sensitivity and negative predictive value 100%). The addition of dermoscopic images to conventional images resulted in higher specificity (85% vs. 77%), allowing reduction of unnecessary further testing in a larger proportion of skin lesions.Store and forward mobile teledermatology could serve as an instrument for population-based skin cancer screening because of favorable test performance.

Contains fulltext : 137022.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: The Swiss health ministry launched a national quality program 'QualiCCare' in 2011 to improve health care for patients with COPD.The aim of this study is to determine whether participation in the COPD quality initiative ('QualiCCare') improves adherence to recommended clinical processes and shows impact on patients' COPD care and on the impact of COPD on a person's life. METHODS: CAROL is a cluster-randomized controlled trial with randomization on the general practioner (GP) level. Thirty GPs will be randomly assigned to equally sized intervention group or control group.Each GP will approach consecutively and regardless of the reason for the current consultation, patients aged 45 years or older, with a smoking history of >/= ten pack-years (PY). Patients with confirmed (by spirometric evaluation) COPD will be included in the study. GPs in the intervention group will receive 'QualiCCare' education, which addresses knowledge, decision-making and behavioural aspects as well as delivery of care according to COPD quality indicators and evidence-based key elements. In the control group, no educational intervention will be applied and COPD patients will be treated as usual. The study period is one year.The primary outcome measure is an aggregated score of relevant clinical processes defining elements in the care of patients with COPD: smoking cessation counseling, influenza vaccination, motivation for physical activity, appropriate pharmacotherapy, patient education and collaborative care. Given a power of 90% and a significance level alpha of 5%, 15 GPs recruiting eight patients each will be necessary in both study arms. With an assumed dropout rate of 20%, 288 patients will need to be included. DISCUSSION: It is important to develop and implement interventions that add value to COPD care considering quality and efficiency. Care pathways modifying the knowledge and behavior of physicians have the potential for improving care by transferring knowledge to clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01921556.

Background In many countries, substitution of physicians by nurses has become common due to the shortage of physicians and the need for high-quality, affordable care, especially for chronic and multi-morbid patients. We examined the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and care costs of physician-nurse substitution in primary care. Methods We systematically searched OVID Medline and Embase, The Cochrane Library and CINAHL, up to August 2012; selected and critically appraised published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared nurse-led care with care by primary care physicians on patient satisfaction, Quality of Life (QoL), hospital admission, mortality and costs of healthcare. We assessed the individual study risk of bias, calculated the study-specific and pooled relative risks (RR) or standardised mean differences (SMD); and performed fixed-effects meta-analyses. Results 24 RCTs (38,974 participants) and 2 economic studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses showed higher overall scores of patient satisfaction with nurse-led care (SMD 0.18, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.23), in RCTs of single contact or urgent care, short (less than 6 months) follow-up episodes and in small trials (N ≤ 200). Nurse-led care was effective at reducing the overall risk of hospital admission (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.91), mortality (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96), in RCTs of on-going or non-urgent care, longer (at least 12 months) follow-up episodes and in larger (N > 200) RCTs. Higher quality RCTs (with better allocation concealment and less attrition) showed higher rates of hospital admissions and mortality with nurse-led care albeit less or not significant. The results seemed more consistent across nurse practitioners than with registered or licensed nurses. The effects of nurse-led care on QoL and costs were difficult to interpret due to heterogeneous outcome reporting, valuation of resources and the small number of studies. Conclusions The available evidence continues to be limited by the quality of the research considered. Nurse-led care seems to have a positive effect on patient satisfaction, hospital admission and mortality. This important finding should be confirmed and the determinants of this effect should be assessed in further, larger and more methodically rigorous research.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' shortage in many countries and demands of high-quality and affordable care make physician-nurse substitution an appealing workforce strategy. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of physician-nurse substitution in primary care on clinical parameters. METHODS: We systematically searched OVID Medline and Embase, The Cochrane Library and CINAHL, up to August 2012; selected peer-reviewed RCTs comparing physician-led care with nurse-led care on changes in clinical parameters. Study selection and data extraction were performed in duplicate by independent reviewers. We assessed the individual study risk of bias; calculated the study-specific and pooled relative risks (RR) or weighted mean differences (WMD); and performed fixed-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS: 11 RCTs (N = 30,247) were included; most were from Europe, generally small with higher risk of bias. In all studies, nurses provided care for complex conditions including HIV, hypertension, heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, Parkinson's disease and incontinence. Meta-analyses showed greater reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in favour of nurse-led care (WMD -4.27 mmHg, 95% CI -6.31 to -2.23) but no statistically significant differences between groups in the reduction of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD -1.48 mmHg, 95%CI -3.05 to -0.09), total cholesterol (TC) (WMD -0.08 mmol/l, 95%CI -0.22 to 0.07) or glycosylated haemoglobin (WMD 0.12%HbAc1, 95%CI -0.13 to 0.37). Of other 32 clinical parameters identified, less than a fifth favoured nurse-led care while 25 showed no significant differences between groups. LIMITATIONS: disease-specific interventions from a small selection of healthcare systems, insufficient quantity and quality of studies, many different parameters. CONCLUSIONS: trained nurses appeared to be better than physicians at lowering SBP but similar at lowering DBP, TC or HbA1c. There is insufficient evidence that nurse-led care leads to better outcomes of other clinical parameters than physician-led care.

Ein Eckpfeiler der Therapie bei akuter Herzinsuffizienz ist die Wiederherstellung der meist gestorten Euvolamie. Nebst den primar verwendeten Medikamenten werden zu diesem Zweck auch Salz und Trinkmengenrestriktion empfohlen. Hier ist allerdings eine Kontroverse entstanden, da sich Untersuchungen haufen, die keinen positiven Effekt dieser Behandlungen finden konnten. Diese Studie uberpruft bei hospitalisierten Patienten mit akut dekompensierter Herzinsuffizienz, ob eine aggressive Natriumund Trinkmengenrestriktion einen Effekt auf den Gewichtsverlust oder auf die klinische Stabilisierung hat.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multimorbidity are an increasing concern in healthcare. Clinical practice guidelines, however, do not take into account potential therapeutic conflicts caused by co-occurring medical conditions. This makes therapeutic decisions complex, especially in emergency situations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify and quantify therapeutic conflicts in emergency department patients with multimorbidity. METHODS: We reviewed electronic records of all patients ≥18 years with two or more concurrent active medical conditions, admitted from the emergency department to the hospital ward of the University Hospital Zurich in January 2009. We cross-tabulated all active diagnoses with treatments recommended by guidelines for each diagnosis. Then, we identified potential therapeutic conflicts and classified them as either major or minor conflicts according to their clinical significance. RESULTS: 166 emergency inpatients with multimorbidity were included. The mean number of active diagnoses per patient was 6.6 (SD±3.4). We identified a total of 239 therapeutic conflicts in 49% of the of the study population. In 29% of the study population major therapeutic conflicts, in 41% of the patients minor therapeutic conflicts occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic conflicts are common among multimorbid patients, with one out of two experiencing minor, and one out of three experiencing major therapeutic conflicts. Clinical practice guidelines need to address frequent therapeutic conflicts in patients with co-morbid medical conditions.