Browsing by Subject "Healthcare"

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Arbeitszeitmodelle im Schweizer Gesundheitswesen : qualitative Untersuchung in der Maximalversorgung
(2023) Linggi, Michael; Ernst, Christian
Research into the working time models of physicians is of great importance to ensure the health and safety of patients, to improve the well-being and satisfaction of medical staff, to increase the efficiency of work processes and to counteract the shortage of labor. The dissertation discusses the different working time models in the Swiss health care system, especially in the field of maximum care. It shows the working time models applied in practice as well as the challenges arising from their implemen-tation. It concentrates on the field of surgery (cutting discipline), but is not limited to specific surgical specialties, but follows a generalist approach. The aim of the re-search is to show which working time models function in the complex daily work of physicians in the Swiss model of maximum care and to what extent they can be transferred to other levels of care and countries. Due to the complexity of the topic, the research question was answered with the help of qualitative interviews. Both phy-sicians and administrative staff were interviewed. By means of qualitative content analysis, the various categories were then formed in order to be able to classify the transcribed text passages. The dissertation is based on the results of current research, for which primarily the contributions of generalist research were used. It has been shown that the organiza-tion of working time has a considerable influence on the satisfaction and health of employees. In particular, 24-hour operations and the associated shift patterns play an important role. Theoretical approaches to human, social and psychological capital al-so illustrate why employees are one of a companys most important resources. This forms the basis for the presentation of different working time models and the identifi-cation of influencing factors. Future-oriented aspects are also taken into account, such as the possibility of using robots in surgery to perform various procedures, which opens up additional options for designing new working time models. The findings of the dissertation can be summarized as follows: It is important to con-sider working time models in a global context, as the topic is very complex and multi-factorial. Basically, three levels can be identified that have to be considered when de-veloping innovative working time models: Society, institution and individual. In order to make new working time models possible, structural, societal prerequisites such as the Working Time Act and family-friendly framework conditions are needed. In addition, the institution, i.e. the hospital, must have the courage to break new ground and give employees the opportunity to work in new working time models. Finally, it is also up to the physicians to take personal responsibility and not take advantage of the employer. In addition to this overall approach with the three levels, the following focal points could be derived: Everyday work, work-life balance, research, education and training, career, work content, digitalization and other focal points. These focal points show which topics must be taken into account when developing new working time models. Finally, four working time models were identified as the most common: Part-time, Protected Time, Job Sharing and Home Office. In addition, labor legislation must cre-ate the framework conditions to enable these models to be used in a meaningful way. The findings are transferable to clinics and hospitals in other countries with a competi-tive health insurance system, such as Germany or Austria. This means that the find-ings and recommendations for improving working time models should also be appli-cable in similar legal and organizational contexts. This dissertation on the study of working time models among physicians at the high-est level of care provides an important basis for the further development of such models. The holistic view of the topic and the identification of challenges and focal points contribute to the improvement of future working time models. Hospital and clin-ic management should take these results into account when planning and implement-ing working time models. For future research, similar studies could be conducted in other countries.
CortexVR: Immersive analysis and training of cognitive executive functions of soccer players using virtual reality and machine learning
(2022) Krupitzer, Christian; Naber, Jens; Stauffert, Jan-Philipp; Mayer, Jan; Spielmann, Jan; Ehmann, Paul; Boci, Noel; Bürkle, Maurice; Ho, André; Komorek, Clemens; Heinickel, Felix; Kounev, Samuel; Becker, Christian; Latoschik, Marc Erich
Goal: This paper presents an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) system to analyze and train Executive Functions (EFs) of soccer players. EFs are important cognitive functions for athletes. They are a relevant quality that distinguishes amateurs from professionals. Method: The system is based on immersive technology, hence, the user interacts naturally and experiences a training session in a virtual world. The proposed system has a modular design supporting the extension of various so-called game modes. Game modes combine selected game mechanics with specific simulation content to target particular training aspects. The system architecture decouples selection/parameterization and analysis of training sessions via a coaching app from an Unity3D-based VR simulation core. Monitoring of user performance and progress is recorded by a database that sends the necessary feedback to the coaching app for analysis. Results: The system is tested for VR-critical performance criteria to reveal the usefulness of a new interaction paradigm in the cognitive training and analysis of EFs. Subjective ratings for overall usability show that the design as VR application enhances the user experience compared to a traditional desktop app; whereas the new, unfamiliar interaction paradigm does not negatively impact the effort for using the application. Conclusion: The system can provide immersive training of EF in a fully virtual environment, eliminating potential distraction. It further provides an easy-to-use analyzes tool to compare user but also an automatic, adaptive training mode.
Mathematische Optimierung der Sterilgutversorgung in medizinischen Einrichtungen unter Berücksichtigung von Einweg- und Mehrweginstrumenten
(2021) Hummel, Rebecca Madeleine; Ernst, Christian
Due to demographic change, healthcare systems in industrialized countries are confronted with increases in service volumes and costs combined with high quality and care demands. Increased efficiency is an important - if not the most important - means of meeting this challenge. Logistics processes, which account for up to 30% of total costs, offer a starting point for efficiency improvements in hospitals. Cost savings of up to 50% can be achieved by optimizing logistics processes. In particular, optimization in the area of hospital logistics offers the opportunity to reduce costs while maintaining quality assurance. This thesis considers the logistical process of sterile supply, which has the task of providing and preparing sterile surgical instruments. As an sub-process of the surgical process, it is of essential importance both from the point of view of economy and quality. The aim of this work is to develop an optimization approach for the sterile supply process which, with the aid of a mathematical model, combines the decision on the grouping of reusable instruments in trays and the decision between the use of a disposable or a reusable instrument. The combination is intended to unlock optimization potential from synergies of the interdependent decisions. The research contribution of the thesis consists, on the one hand, in a systematic literature review on the state of the art of sieve optimization and the disposable-reusable decision, and, on the other hand, in the development of a new problem, which has not been addressed in the literature before, but is highly relevant in practice. The problem is represented in the form of a mathematical model and a mathematical optimization approach is developed to solve the problem. The optimization model is implemented in the optimization software GAMS and applied to a practical case study using the solver CLPEX. For the purpose of an efficient implementation, an algorithm for the linearization of model variables is also designed. Based on the case study, the savings potential of the optimization approach for the gynecological clinic of a maximum care provider can be estimated at almost 80,000 euros per year.