Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1998
Review[Acupuncture in prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting].
In this review the effectiveness of the acupuncture point Pericard 6 (P 6) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is described. Use of the acupuncture, acupressure as well as the laser stimulation of P 6 proved as efficient prophylaxis of PONV in numerous studies. These methods are free of side effects and represent therefore a good alternative to the pharmacological prophylaxis and treatment of PONV.
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1998
[Intention to kill--the deciding criterion between allowed and prohibited assisted euthanasia].
The difference between the allowed and forbidden euthanasia is--on account of the dominant opinion--the criterion of acting and forbearance. It is not punishable to let a terminally ill patient die, but it is punishable to kill a patient on purpose. ⋯ Then the euthanasia is a punishable act if the actor or the person, who forbears, practices euthanasia with the intention to kill the patient. The euthanasia is not punishable, however, if the euthanasia overwhelms the blockade of dying or softens the pains.
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We mostly deal here with socio-medical aspects of vaccinations. Various initiatives are summed up that are intended to optimize the system of immunization by vaccines and to establish certain innovative, and also internationally remarkable approaches. In spite of the undoubted successes of vaccinations in Austria, there still are some major deficits that should be eliminated. ⋯ It must not be denied, however, that the system of medical care too has not always responded in an optimal way. As a consequence, public health research has been done on background-morbidity which is absolutely essential for scientific discussion. The name of the study, SERMO, is an abbreviation of the term "self-reported-morbidity"; another source for this name is the latin expression "sermo, sermonis".
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Wien Med Wochenschr · Jan 1998
Assessment of satisfaction with the communication process during consultation of cancer patients with potentially curable disease, cancer patients on palliative care, and HIV-positive patients.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of cancer patients towards the medical interview and to determine their psychosocial satisfaction subsequent to the dialogue. The answers given by patients with curable cancer were compared to those given by cancer patients whose treatment intent was palliative and to the replies of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a nonmalignant but also incurable state. The subject population comprised a total of 139 patients. ⋯ Cancer patients considered themselves better informed compared to patients with HIV-infection. This is in significant contrast with the actual, measurable knowledge about their disease in the latter group. It is indeed surprising that only a small minority of incurable cancer patients realized that the goal of the medical care they received was relief of symptoms, the principle objective of palliation.