Statutory Pension Insurance Research Articles

Entwicklung eines standardisierten Rückenschulungsprogramms für die orthopädische Rehabilitation

Medical rehabilitation in Germany is still lacking in patient education programmes that meet certain quality requirements such as the use of manuals, patient-oriented didactics, and evaluations of effectiveness. For patients with chronic low back pain, no standardized and evaluated back school programme has so far been available for routine use. In this paper, we demonstrate the development of a quality-assured back school based on a health-education programme of the German statutory pension insurance scheme. Both topics and didactics incorporate treatment evidence, practice guidelines, quality criteria for patient education and theories of health and illness behaviour. First, formative evaluation was conducted to assess patient acceptance and practicability of the manual. Second, effects of the back school programme were assessed on a short-term (at the end of rehabilitation), medium-term (6-month follow-up) and long-term (12-month follow-up) basis in a randomized controlled study of patients with low back pain (n=360). Results show a significant medium treatment effect in patients' knowledge about chronic back pain and its treatment at the end of rehabilitation (p<0.001; eta (2)=0.080). Furthermore, small to medium effects were also observed among some secondary outcomes, such as motivation to physical activity, pain beliefs and pain intensity. After the programme's medium- and long-term effects have been demonstrated, it will be recommended for implementation in medical rehabilitation. The manual meets the requirements that allow for a successful transfer into clinical practice.

Einstellung zur psychosomatischen Rehabilitation: Entwicklung eines Patienten-Fragebogens

The transition from home to psychosomatic rehabilitation is problematic for many patients. They show little treatment motivation because of insufficient information and fear of stigmatization. Pre-treatment seeks to reduce these problems. The patient-questionnaire for stance toward psychosomatic rehabilitation was developed and tested for performance criteria. A German statutory pension insurance scheme sample of psychosomatic rehabilitation patients (n=317) were recruited for testing psychosometric attributes and were questioned before and after pre-treatment. To determine whether the questionnaire can show clinically relevant changes, 124 patients with pre-information were compared with 88 patients without intervention. Additionally, clinically relevant changes for patients without knowledge of psychosomatic rehabilitation (n=70) were analyzed. Factor analysis shows a three factor solution with ten items. The discriminatory power was good. High reliability was found for two factors and lower reliability for one factor. The patient-questionnaire for stance toward psychosomatic rehabilitation contains three scales: "knowledge", "confidence", and "motivation", and can be characterized as a reliable and economic instrument. After pre-treatment a general improvement was observed regarding patients' stance toward psychosomatic rehabilitation. The analyses result in significantly higher mean for patients with pre-treatment. Patients without previous information showed less "confidence" and "motivation". Pre-treatment can have a positive impact on the stance toward psychosomatic rehabilitation.

The relevance of unrelated costs internal and external to the healthcare sector to the outcome of a cost-comparison analysis of secondary prevention: the case of general colorectal cancer screening in the German population

The potential of secondary prevention measures, such as cancer screening, to produce cost savings in the healthcare sector is a controversial issue in healthcare economics. Potential savings are calculated by comparing treatment costs with the cost of a prevention program. When survivors' subsequent unrelated health care costs are included in the calculation, however, the overall cost of disease prevention rises. What have not been studied to date are the secondary effects of fatal disease prevention measures on social security systems. From the perspective of a policy maker responsible for a social security system budget, it is not only future healthcare costs that are relevant for budgeting, but also changes in the contributions to, and expenditures from, statutory pension insurance and health insurance systems. An examination of the effect of longer life expectancies on these insurance systems can be justified by the fact that European social security systems are regulated by the state, and there is no clear separation between the financing of individual insurance systems due to cross-subsidisation. This paper looks at how the results of cost-comparison analyses vary depending on the inclusion or exclusion of future healthcare and non-healthcare costs, using the example of colorectal cancer screening in the German general population. In contrast to previous studies, not only are future unrelated medical costs considered, but also the effects on the social security system. If a German colorectal cancer screening program were implemented, and unrelated future medical care were excluded from the cost-benefit analysis, savings of up to 548 million euros per year would be expected. The screening program would, at the same time, generate costs in the healthcare sector as well as in the social security system of 2,037 million euros per year. Because the amount of future contributions and expenditures in the social security system depends on the age and gender of the recipients of the screening program (i.e. survivors of a typically fatal condition), the impact of age and gender on the results of a cost-comparison analysis of colorectal cancer screening are presented and discussed. Our study shows that colorectal cancer screening generates individual cost savings in the social security system up to a life expectancy of 60 years. Beyond that age, the balance between a recipient's social security contributions and insurance system expenditure is negative. The paper clarifies the relevance of healthcare costs not related to the prevented disease to the economic evaluation of prevention programs, particularly in the case of fatal diseases such as colorectal cancer. The results of the study imply that, from an economic perspective, the participation of at-risk individuals in disease prevention programs should be promoted.

Warum beurteilen Rehabilitanden die Rehaplanung und Zielorientierung weniger positiv als andere Aspekte der medizinischen Rehabilitation?

Fragestellung: Patientenzufriedenheit stellt eine zentrale Qualitätsdimension in der Patientenbefragung der Qualitätssicherung der Rentenversicherungen dar. Die Skala „Rehaplan und -ziele” wies stets eine unterdurchschnittliche Bewertung auf. Die möglichen Gründe für diese systematisch niedrigere Bewertung waren bisher unbekannt.

Systematische Literaturanalyse zu Therapien in der Rehabilitation nach Hüft- und Kniegelenks-Total-Endoprothesen: Methoden, Ergebnisse und Herausforderungen

Evidence-based medicine is a central issue in medical practice. This also applies to rehabilitation services. The German Statutory Pension Insurance meets this need in its guideline programme. Amongst others a guideline for rehabilitation following hip or knee arthroplasty is currently being developed. In this context a hierarchic, systematic literature analysis was conducted summarising the current state of evidence with reference to the effects and the treatment requirements (frequency and duration) of different rehabilitative therapies following total hip or knee replacement. In the first step, a search for evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews and health technology assessments was conducted. Secondly, search strategies for primary literature in the following databases were designed: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychINFO (01/1997-09/2007). Additionally, a handsearch of several German journals not listed in the databases was conducted. Randomized trials were preferred, however, non-randomized trials were included if the intervention and control groups were comparable with regard to the baseline parameters. Results can be classified into three categories: (1) therapies for which evidence for (positive) effects was found, (2) therapies for which evidence was found, however, their transferability onto rehabilitation in Germany should be discussed (e. g., studies on immediate post-surgery interventions), and (3) therapies for which no methodologically appropriate trials could be found. The literature reviewed does not allow for final conclusions as to frequency and duration of different therapeutic interventions within the rehabilitation time frame in Germany (usually the first three weeks post discharge from hospital). Overall, there is a need for further research.

Precautionary and Entrepreneurial Saving: New Evidence from German Households

The well-documented positive correlation between income risk and wealth was interpreted as evidence for high amounts of precautionary wealth in various studies. However, the large estimates emerged from pooling non-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs without controlling for heterogeneity. This paper provides evidence for Germany based on representative panel data including private wealth balance sheets. Entrepreneurs, who face high income risk, hold more wealth than employees, but it is shown that this is not due to precautionary motives. Entrepreneurs may rather save for old age, as they are usually not covered by statutory pension insurance. The analysis accounts for endogeneity of entrepreneurial choice.

Rehabilitation aus der Sicht kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen: Wissen, Wertschätzung und Kooperationsmöglichkeiten – Ergebnisse des KoRB-Projektes

The experiences of small and midsized enterprises (SME) with medical rehabilitation were investigated in the KoRB-Study (KoRB= KOoperation Rehabilitation und Betrieb) for the first time. Opportunities for a targeted cooperation between the statutory pension insurance and these enterprises were explored. Based on explorative interviews, Westphalian employers, members of the works council, occupational health practitioners and employees were interrogated about the image of and their appreciation of medical rehabilitation in the work setting. Experience with rehabilitation and the level of information on rehabilitation were recorded as well as the compatibility of rehabilitation with operative processes in the working site. In addition rehab hospitals were asked about their experience in cooperating with enterprises. 697 employers of small and midsized enterprises, 458 members of the works councils, 73 occupational health practitioners, 47 rehab hospitals and 3 509 employees, who are members of the German Pension Fund of Westphalia, took part in the survey. Especially employers perceived rehabilitation positively and reported good experiences. Among the employees, those who had taken part in rehabilitation showed the highest appreciation. Occupational health practitioners were more restrained in their appraisal. Some of them complained about a lack of sustainability. The different target groups of the survey felt differently well informed about rehabilitation - best ratings came from the occupational health practitioners, worst ratings from the employees. All groups would welcome more accessible information in case of need. Medical rehabilitation in its standard form of "3 weeks full-time" often causes severe logistic problems in SME (e. g., replacement of employee, loss of experience). However the financial burden is perceived as less problematic. Employers favour alternative rehab models, which allow part-time working. Many employees, who expressed a need for rehabilitation, refrained from applying for rehabilitation on account of worries about loosing their employment. Both rehab clinicians and occupational health practitioners argued in favour of improved communication and cooperation in order to adapt medical rehab to the specific requirements of the working place and to assure a smooth reintegration into work.

Qualitätssicherung bei der sozialmedizinischen Sachaufklärung in der Deutschen Rentenversicherung

The systematic quality assurance (QA) is an essential element of every medical work. Therefore QA is also compulsory for all socio-medical tasks in the statutory pension insurance in Germany. The medical advisors employed in the pension insurance are involved in nearly all cases of administrative procedures in connection with applications for medical or vocational rehabilitation and for benefits for reduction in earning capacity. It is necessary to confirm whether the medical condition for this performance or benefit is fulfilled or not. The socio-medical assessment is executed by a medical estimate with a personal examination and questioning by the medical advisor, but also by a medical estimate based on the presented documents. The medical advisor is only an advisor, but his advice is very important for the position of points in the current administrative procedure. Therefore, the responsibility of the medical doctors is very high, due to the financial dimensions behind this medical advice. The costs of benefits for reduction in earning capacity average 120,000 euro. The cost for occupational or vocational rehabilitation often achieve the same level, a medical rehabilitation costs the pension insurance nearly 3,000 euro for three weeks, but very often also much more. Thus it is very important for both the applicant and also the pension insurance, that all doctors apply equal standards. It must not depend on luck or bad luck whether a submitted pension or performance is granted or not. Therefore different medical guidelines have been established in order to prevent unequal results.

Qualitätssicherung und Leitlinien in der Rehabilitation bei muskuloskelettalen Krankheiten

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are among the most common and most costly diseases in Germany. They are also associated with a considerable burden for those affected. As a result these disorders also dominate the utilization statistics with respect to medical rehabilitation measures paid for by the statutory pension insurance. In the last 10 years, quality assurance programs have been developed for rehabilitation--initiated and financed by the rehabilitation sponsors--that are characterized by a comprehensive, perspective, pronounced scientific basis, region-wide implementation, and strong patient orientation. The development of guidelines for rehabilitation began later than for acute medicine. In addition to the formulation of guidelines for rehabilitation by medical organizations and professional associations, the German pension insurance has developed so-called process guidelines containing framework requirements for the treatment of defined indication groups rather than support for decision-making in the rehabilitation of individual patients. By planned control of adherence to the process guidelines in the quality assurance programs of the pension insurers prompt implementation of the guidelines can be anticipated.

Ökonomische Evaluation einer medizinisch-beruflich orientierten Maßnahme bei Patienten mit muskuloskeletalen Erkrankungen - Eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse aus Rentenversicherungsperspektive

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common health problem in Germany and the most frequent cause for medical rehabilitation under the German statutory pension insurance scheme. There is evidence of a strong association between musculoskeletal disorders and work-related problems. Recent research has shown that work-related interventions are adequate and effective as a treatment for patients with strong work-related problems. This evaluation compares the "work-related" (German: MBO, medizinisch-beruflich orientiert) rehabilitation to the standard medical rehabilitation provided in a clinical setting. From the perspective of a regional German statutory pension insurance agency, DRV Westfalen, it measures the efficiency of both treatments in patients with a diagnosed MBO demand 18 months after completion of the treatment. The effect of both treatments on pension insurance revenues and costs up to 18 months after treatment was determined. Rehabilitation balance sheets of both treatments were compared in a cost-benefit analysis. From the difference obtained, conclusions could be drawn relative to the efficiency of the respective treatments. The descriptive analysis indicated additional receipts as a result of the MBO rehabilitation. Considering total costs, an effect amounting to 1 245 euro concerning the total revenue of DRV Westfalen is found if a patient had completed the MBO rehabilitation instead of the standard medical rehabilitation programme. Compared to standard medical rehabilitation, "work-related" rehabilitation hardly causes higher follow-up costs within 18 months, while generating higher receipts. Consequently, a more favourable monetary development is realized within the balance total in contrast to the standard medical rehabilitation. Limitations and consequences of these results are discussed in detail.

SIMBO: Ein Screening-Instrument zur Feststellung des Bedarfs an Medizinisch-Beruflich Orientierten Maßnahmen in der medizinischen Rehabilitation - Analysen zur Konstruktvalidität und Prognosegüte

For a number of years, work-related interventions in medical rehabilitation (MBO) have been developed. Basically, these interventions concentrate on vocational problems of rehabilitees whose health disorders are strongly associated with contextual factors of the environment as well as personal factors. Previous studies showed a close relationship between the success of an intervention and identification of a specific demand. In fact there are several clinical concepts regarding specific demand. But there still is a lack of appropriate instruments for use in identification of occupational challenges. Therefore SIMBO (Screening Instrument for Identification of a Demand for Medical-Vocational Oriented Rehabilitation) has been developed recently. By using a scale for the intensity of work-related problems as well as a cut-off point, SIMBO is able to identify patients with and without a demand for work-related interventions. Analyses relative to construct validity and predictive validity were carried out on two different samples--a multi-clinic sample (patients with musculoskeletal disorders) and a sample from the German statutory pension insurance agency DRV Westfalen (successful applications for medical rehabilitation). In this context the cut-off level discussion is very important. By means of the multi-clinic sample--irrespective of cut-off definition--the SIMBO-decision and the clinical identification of MBO-demand were found to agree in 74-78% of the cases. This corresponds to a maximum adjusted correlation of r=0.59 (phi coefficient). Compared to the external ratings of vocational problems given by DRV staff in handling the applications, however, only little agreement is found (64%, r=0.25). In fact, SIMBO had in 77% (r=0.50) of the cases been able to correctly predict work-related problems to be expected. So the result obtained using this instrument is far better than prediction of these problems in the external ratings by DRV staff (54%, r=0,21). Also, return to work (RTW) in good health after six months can be predicted correctly by SIMBO in 77% of the cases. This means that the probability of RTW in good health is reduced by 90% (Odds Ratio=0.1) if work-related problems had been identified by SIMBO. Concerning its clinical as well as predictive quality, the validity of SIMBO-based ratings of work-related problems has been proven. Further, it has become obvious that SIMBO is suitable as an easy-to-handle tool for identification of a need for vocationally-focused interventions for use by the social insurance agencies which finance rehabilitation. Further interesting questions arise relative to application in different indications as well as potential uses as an outcome instrument.

The German system of medical in-patient rehabilitation in children and adolescents

The prevalence of chronic health conditions in young people is constantly increasing. A very important question is in which setting (in-patient or out-patient) these patients should ideally be treated. In Germany, in-patient rehabilitation of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions has a long history. So far, however, no systematic data concerning structure, process or outcome quality have been assessed across facilities. Therefore, as a first step, a conjoint project of the statutory pension and health insurance institutes was initiated to assess and to describe the structure quality of in-patient medical rehabilitation clinics for children and adolescents in Germany. A questionnaire was filled out by the clinic directors which covered general information and the characteristics of structure quality, as well as structure-affiliated process characteristics of the clinics. The survey was planned as a cross-sectional study. A total of 177 clinic addresses were available. The return rate was 83.3%. Eventually, 79 clinics were included in the analysis. In sum, the results underline the heterogeneity of services in the field of child and adolescent rehabilitation. In conclusion, in-patient rehabilitation plays a major role for the treatment of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions in Germany. The results allow an analysis of the current clinic structures.

Rehabilitationsbedarf in der sozialmedizinischen Begutachtung - Entwicklung und Evaluation eines Entscheidungsalgorithmus

For sociomedical assessment on application for medical rehabilitation by the German Statutory Pension Insurance no valid diagnostic assessment tools exist. In the present study two expert surveys and current guidelines were used to develop an algorithm of decision-making which is based on 13 criteria for rehabilitation need. The algorithm was evaluated in a prospective, longitudinal survey in the sociomedical services of five Bavarian Statutory Pension Insurance agencies on a sample of applicants with primary musculoskeletal disease (n=243). The medical experts rated the criteria after they had made their decision on the applications. To examine validity of the algorithm, concordance with the medical expert decisions and individual need for rehabilitation was analyzed. Respectively results of the algorithm were compared with data in course of the measure (rating by the clinician, patient questionnaire). Analyzing data, there is evidence for problems in rating the criteria by assessment on medical records; on average 9.2 (s=2.4) of 13 criteria could be rated. There is statistically significant concordance between decisions by the algorithm and sociomedical decisions based on assessment of medical records (kappa=0.37, p<0.001) or examination (kappa=0.71, p<0.001). Applications with positive recommendation by the algorithm have a significantly higher degree of subjective rehabilitation need (d=0.38). The results illustrate the need for measures to improve the basis of information by medical records. By reason of heterogeneity in practical application of criteria for rehabilitation need, operationalisation and explicit diagnostic algorithms are necessary to improve objectivity of making decisions.

Akzeptanz und Praktikabilität der Leitlinie für die Rehabilitation bei koronarer Herzkrankheit

Developed within the German Pension Insurance scheme's Guidelines programme, the Guideline for Rehabilitation in Coronary Artery Disease has been publicly available since January 2005. Pension Insurance routine data on the therapeutic benefits and services provided (based on the Classification of Therapeutic Procedures, KTL) were analyzed to assess the extent to which rehabilitation facilities had complied with Guideline requirements already in 2004. In January 2005, the results were disseminated together with the Guideline to the rehabilitation facilities which had participated in Pension Insurance rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease in 2004. In an accompanying survey information was requested concerning acceptability and applicability of the Guideline, of the presentation of KTL data, as well as reasons for non-adherence to Guideline requirements. In February 2005 a written, anonymous survey was conducted among 72 clinical directors of rehabilitation facilities. The survey instrument contained three standardized questionnaires covering the aspects cited above. The response rate was 73.6 % (n = 53). Descriptive analyses were performed. Views of the Guideline: The Guideline fulfils most of the seven quality attributes surveyed (completely fulfilled: 11.3-32.7 %, basically fulfilled: 49.1-64.2 %). Volume, structure and clarity of the guideline are judged to be "very good" by 62.3 %, 50.9 % and 36.5 % of the respondents. The KTL-procedure codes forming part of the Guideline to be used to assess guideline adherence, were considered appropriate by 88.5 % to 98 %. Consent to Guideline requirements varies between 80.8 and 34.6 %. Views of the audit feedback based on KTL-data: Depending on the various data table types, 37.7 % to 20.0 % of the respondents stated that the tables should remain unchanged in future evaluations. 28.0 % to 39.0 % consider the tables to be very useful for quality management. Reasons for non-adherence to Guideline recommendations: according to the clinicians, the most important reason for deviation from Guideline requirements is incomplete or incorrect coding of therapeutic procedures. The Guideline for Rehabilitation in Coronary Artery Disease basically fulfils the formal, methodological and content-related quality criteria considered to be most relevant by the clinical directors. As expected, the greatest need for discussion is focussed on the actual Guideline requirements. Form and content of the KTL-feedback are well accepted, and the feedback itself is considered relevant for everyday practice. The main reason given for non-adherence to guideline requirements (i. e., inaccurate coding) should not be overstated as the KTL-analyses was based on data from 2004, when the guideline had not yet been published. The Guideline for Rehabilitation in Coronary Artery Disease is acceptable and practicable, and it is moreover tied in with external quality assurance activities in place (i. e., the quality assurance programme of the statutory Pension Insurance scheme). The audit feedback given in this framework provides rehabilitation facilities participating in the programme not only with comparative analyses but also with input for their internal quality management actions. Future activities within the external quality assurance programme should inter alia focus on more targeted implementation activities and repeated KTL-based appraisals.

Weiterentwicklung und Validierung eines Verfahrens zur Visitation von Rehabilitationseinrichtungen

Visitations (audits) are considered an instrument of external quality assurance by which the structural and organizational set-up of health facilities can be assessed on site by external experts. The Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (including the former Bundesversicherungsanstalt für Angestellte, BfA, the statutory pension insurance agency for white collar employees) is the largest body responsible for rehabilitation in Germany, and it regularly carries out visitations in the approximately 650 rehab centres it sends its patients to. The project presented in this article aimed at developing a manual with detailed descriptions of the procedures and criteria of the assessment, as well as at checking the inter-rater-reliability of the assessment. The manual was developed in cooperation with experts of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund. It contains a description of the areas to be assessed during a visitation as well as leading questions and criteria for the evaluation of single features. The manual was examined in "test visitations" in 10 centres, each of which was visited by three visitation teams (1 medical and 1 administrative expert) simultaneously. When the resulting 30 assessments were compared, the criterion "overall quality of the centre" (which was assessed on a 10-point scale) showed precise agreement in 47 %, and a deviation by 1 point in 33 % of the cases. Single features assessed on a three-point scale (no improvement needed/improvement recommended/immediate improvement obligatory) resulted in precise agreement in between 80 % ("medical and therapeutic processes") and 86 % ("structural features") of the cases. Two-point scales (condition fulfilled or not fulfilled) showed an agreement between 89 % ("internal quality management") and 97 % ("single structural features"). In order to maintain and further develop this good inter-rater-reliability, the visitors of Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund are continually trained in applying the visitation manual. In addition to transferring knowledge, these internal training courses are aimed at exchanging views and experience in order to enhance consensus among the visitors. This approach of Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund could be regarded as "internal quality assurance" of its visitation procedure.

Regionale Qualitätssicherung in der medizinischen Rehabilitation. Qualitätsgemeinschaft medizinische Rehabilitation in Schleswig-Holstein - Initiative und Erprobung

In light of the growing age of the population in Germany and worldwide as well as the increasing of chronic diseases, there can be no doubt about the importance of medical rehabilitation. Yet the unbalanced proportions of treatment (costs), effectiveness and efficiency have been discussed critically in the past. The Statutory Pension Insurance scheme responded to this imbalance with a comprehensive quality assurance programme. Furthermore, a nation-wide Rehabilitation Research Funding Programme was established. Still missing, however, are transfer of scientific results into practice and a quality assurance programme that focuses on outcomes and effectiveness. In 2001, in Schleswig-Holstein, a "Medical Rehabilitation Quality Community" was initiated. The Community aims are a higher level of transparency of rehabilitation treatment procedures, providing proof of effects on patient outcomes, and comparison of effects achieved in different rehabilitation clinics, based on patient surveys. After completion of funded pre- and main phases, the Medical Rehabilitation Quality Community will be continued on a self-initiative and self-financing basis. In this paper, procedures and feasibility of the project are described. The main empirical results (outcomes, patient satisfaction, treatment after rehabilitation, n = 2026, and indication related benchmarking) will be presented in a subsequent article.

Sicherung der Strukturqualität in der stationären medizinischen Rehabilitation von Kindern und Jugendlichen

So far, the routine programmes of the statutory pension and health insurance institutes for quality assurance in medical rehabilitation have not included facilities for children and adolescents. Thus, a conjoint project of the statutory pension and health insurance institutes to assess and to describe the structure quality of in-patient medical rehabilitation clinics for children and adolescents was initiated. The aim of the project was a survey and an analysis of the currently existing clinic structures and the development of criteria for an evaluation of the structure quality. The Institute of Medical Psychology, University of Hamburg and the Department of Quality Management and Social Medicine, University of Freiburg were engaged to conduct the project. A questionnaire was developed in a multi-stage process with expert involvement which covers general information, characteristics of structure quality as well as structure affiliated process characteristics of clinics. The survey was planned as a cross-sectional study. Data collection was accomplished from 1.12.2004 - 15.3.2005. A total of n = 177 facility addresses were available. The return rate was 83.3 %. Eventually, n = 79 facilities were included in the analysis. In sum, the results underline the heterogeneity of services in the field of child and adolescent rehabilitation. The results allow an analysis of the current clinic structures as well as a first comparison of clinics on the basis of the assessed structure characteristics.

The Research Data Centre of the German Statutory Pension Insurance (FDZ-RV)

The Research Data Centre of the German Statutory Pension Insurance (FDZ-RV)

Berufliche Orientierung in der medizinischen Rehabilitation und Leistungen zur Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben

Return-to-work and protection of work-related participation is stated as a primary objective of rehabilitation by the statutory pension insurance institutes. A general continuous management of work-related participation in rehabilitation is a prerequisite for optimal results in view of stay in work and return to work. This means an extended vocational orientation in medical rehabilitation, individualized occupational rehabilitation according to need and capacity in connection with closer linkages between medical and occupational rehabilitation. In the course of the "Rehabilitation Sciences" research funding programme and beyond it, quite a few research projects and scientific activities aimed at development, testing and evaluation of -new screenings and diagnostic instruments with better findings of vocational related needs in medical and occupational rehabilitation, -specific methods of therapy and models for treatment settings with immediate reference to the work related restriction and capacity, as well as -models of the organization and forms of cooperation between medical and occupational rehabilitation. This paper reviews the projects and findings in these research fields in relation to the requirements for an increase of general continuous vocational orientation in rehabilitation.

Kriterien des Rehabilitationsbedarfs - Die Würzburger Checkliste zur Erfassung des Rehabilitationsbedarfs in der sozialmedizinischen Begutachtung

The essential criteria governing the assessment of the need for rehabilitation must be reviewed before making a sociomedical decision on claims to the German Statutory Pension Insurance (GRV) for refunding expenditure on rehabilitation. For an objective view of such a sociomedical decision, one must specify more clearly the fundamental assessment criteria. The study presented here was based on an exploratory analysis using a specific rating scale (the "Würzburg Checklist") for the various aspects of necessary rehabilitation according to sociomedical assessment of the medical records and medical examination of the patient. The aim of such an analysis is to pinpoint the various necessary decisions one by one before arriving at a final sociomedical expertise enabling the insurance body to decide to meet the cost of rehabilitating a particular patient. Three Bavarian Statutory Sickness Insurance bodies conducted medical random checks by selecting a sample of applicants with musculo-skeletal disease (n = 483) and examining the medical records and the results of a personal examination of the applicant by the medical expert. Completion of the rating scale was done after the experts had made their decision. The rating was subsequently repeated by the clinicians when the patient was admitted to the rehabilitation hospital. Although there were significant differences between these three groups of physicians in the evaluation of the applicants in respect of requirement criteria, it was not possible to identify any particular tendency to a verdict. Assessing the criteria according to the records is limited to some extent. Factor analysis yields five subscales in the rating list with good internal consistency: overall impediment, forecasting the ability to being motivated for rehabilitation, professional efficiency rating, psychosocial stress, risk factors. These subscales, while fairly consistent, are discriminatively valid in respect of rehabilitation recommendations by the sociomedical experts. The results of this survey are a first approach to the development of a practically relevant structural tool for sociomedical assessment.