Awareness and use of home remedies in Italy's alps: a population-based cross-sectional telephone survey

Belief in complementary and alternative medicine practices is related to reduced preparedness for vaccination. This study aimed to assess home remedy awareness and use in South Tyrol, where vaccination rates in the coronavirus pandemic were lowest in Italy and differed between German- and Italian-speaking inhabitants.; A population-based survey was conducted in 2014 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple logistic regression, and latent class analysis.; Of the representative sample of 504 survey respondents, 357 (70.8%) participants (43.0% male; primary language German, 76.5%) reported to use home remedies. Most commonly reported home remedies were teas (48.2%), plants (21.0%), and compresses (19.5%). Participants from rural regions were less likely (odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.67), while female (2.62, 1.69-4.10) and German-speaking participants (5.52, 2.91-9.88) were more likely to use home remedies. Latent classes of home remedies were "alcoholic home remedies" (21.4%) and "non-alcohol-containing home remedies" (78.6%). Compared to the "non-alcohol-containing home remedies" class, members of the "alcoholic home remedies" class were more likely to live in an urban region, to be male and German speakers.; In addition to residence and sex, language group membership associates with awareness and use of home remedies. Home remedies likely contribute to socio-cultural differences between the language groups in the Italian Alps. If the observed associations explain the lower vaccination rates in South Tyrol among German speakers requires further study

Relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and SARS-CoV-2 infection: a longitudinal study

ObjectivesWe aimed to (1) describe the course of the emotional burden (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) in a general population sample during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and (2) explore the association between emotional burden and a serologically proven infection with SARS-CoV-2.Study designThis longitudinal study involved a sample of community-dwelling persons aged ≥14 years from the general population of South Tyrol (Province of Bolzano-Bozen, Northern Italy). Data were collected at two stages over a 1-year period in 2020 and 2021.MethodsPersons were invited to participate in a survey on socio-demographic, health-related and psychosocial variables (e.g., age, chronic diseases, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, DASS-21), as well as in the serological testing for of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulins.ResultsIn 2020, 855 (23.8%) out of 3,600 persons participated; in 2021, 305 (35.7%) out of 855 were tested again. We observed a statistically significant decrease in mean DASS-21 scores for depression, stress, and total scores between 2020 and 2021, yet not for anxiety. Persons with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infection between the first and second data collection exhibited increased emotional burden compared to those without SARS-CoV-2-infection. The odds of participants with a self-reported diagnosis of mental disorder for future infection with SARS-CoV-2 was almost four times higher than that of participants without mental disorders (OR:3.75; 95%CI:1.79-7.83).ConclusionOur findings support to the hypothesis of a psycho-neuroendocrine-immune interplay in COVID-19. Further research is necessary to explore the mechanisms underlying the interplay between mental health and SARS-CoV-2 infections

Supporting Primary Care Communication on Vaccination in Multilingual and Culturally Diverse Settings: Lessons from South Tyrol, Italy

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a major threat to public health. As part of efforts to increase vaccine uptake, the focus is on optimizing the quality of communication among healthcare workers. Physician shortages and workloads create time constraints, making communication interventions in primary care challenging. This study aimed to propose strategies to improve communication between general practitioners and vaccine-hesitant individuals. This narrative review addresses the specific needs of general practitioners for effective communication and proposes strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy in culturally and linguistically diverse regions. Methods: Systematic searches of EMBASE and PubMed were performed using terms related to vaccine hesitancy, communication strategies, primary care, and cultural diversity. Additionally, the websites of major health organizations were searched for relevant reports and guidelines. Selection criteria were based on the relevance and quality of the selected studies. Results: The findings highlight the importance of empathy, transparency, and personalized information in communication strategies. The need for communication training and addressing policy and workload barriers for healthcare providers is significant. The proposed strategy includes regular communication skills and cultural competency workshops, language training, the development of multilingual resources, implementation of telemedicine services, and active community engagement. Conclusions: Policy recommendations advocate for increased primary care resources, support from general practitioner unions, and the integration of digital tools. These strategies are essential to improve vaccine uptake and public health outcomes by enhancing the capacity of general practitioners to effectively engage with vaccine-hesitant patients

Integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine into General Practice Training: A Regional Survey in South Tyrol

Background/Objectives: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly being recognized as an important component of primary care; however, its integration into medical education and practice remains inconsistent. This study explores the attitudes, practices, and educational needs of young career general practitioners in South Tyrol, a linguistically and culturally diverse region. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to all 131 general practitioners currently in training or who completed their specialization within the last 10 years, and 37 responses were analyzed. Results: The findings revealed moderate support for CAM modalities such as phytotherapy, manual therapies, and acupuncture. Participants demonstrated limited confidence in their knowledge of CAM. Although 72% acknowledged the importance of CAM training, only a minority demonstrated adequate knowledge of reimbursements and relevant legislation. Women and urban practitioners showed tendencies toward higher confidence and engagement with CAM compared to men and rural practitioners, as indicated by effect size results. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for focused, evidence-based CAM training programs to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance integration into primary care. Although constrained by factors such as a limited participant pool, the results of the small-scale study offer perspectives regarding CAM training and its significance in meeting the changing requirements of both health care providers and their clients

Redesigning Primary Care: The Emergence of Artificial-Intelligence-Driven Symptom Diagnostic Tools

Modern healthcare is facing a juxtaposition of increasing patient demands owing to an aging population and a decreasing general practitioner workforce, leading to strained access to primary care. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has emphasized the potential for alternative consultation methods, highlighting opportunities to minimize unnecessary care. This article discusses the role of artificial-intelligence-driven symptom checkers, particularly their efficiency, utility, and challenges in primary care. Based on a study conducted in Italian general practices, insights from both physicians and patients were gathered regarding this emergent technology, highlighting differences in perceived utility, user satisfaction, and potential challenges. While symptom checkers are seen as potential tools for addressing healthcare challenges, concerns regarding their accuracy and the potential for misdiagnosis persist. Patients generally viewed them positively, valuing their ease of use and the empowerment they provide in managing health. However, some general practitioners perceive these tools as challenges to their expertise. This article proposes that artificial-intelligence-based symptom checkers can optimize medical-history taking for the benefit of both general practitioners and patients, with potential enhancements in complex diagnostic tasks rather than routine diagnoses. It underscores the importance of carefully integrating digital innovations while preserving the essential human touch in healthcare. Symptom checkers offer promising solutions; ensuring their accuracy, reliability, and effective integration into primary care requires rigorous research, clinical guidance, and an understanding of varied user perceptions. Collaboration among technologists, clinicians, and patients is paramount for the successful evolution of digital tools in healthcare

Relational Coordination at the Primary–Secondary Care Interface: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Survey in the South Tyrolean Healthcare System

Understanding the dynamics of teamwork and communication among healthcare professionals is crucial in the face of evolving healthcare challenges. This study assessed relational coordination among healthcare professionals in the South Tyrolean healthcare system in Italy, focusing on communication and teamwork dynamics in a cross-sectional survey. Using the validated Relational Coordination Survey (RCS) instrument and 525 completed online responses, the questionnaire aimed to understand the implications of different levels of relational coordination ratings by general practitioners, hospital physicians, nurses, and administrative personnel (response rate 26%). The demographics of the participants revealed a predominance of female professionals (64%), with an average age of 50 and 18 years of service. The resulting RCS scores varied significantly across professional groups, with nurses reporting the highest within-group scores, indicating moderate coordination, and administrators reporting the lowest scores, reflecting areas of weak coordination. Between-group relational coordination was generally perceived as weak across professional groups, with the least weakness observed between general practitioners and nurses. German or Italian language and health district affiliation emerged as significant factors influencing relational coordination ratings, highlighting the need for differentiated understanding and strategies in multilingual and diverse regional settings. Assessments of interdisciplinary feedback and referral practices highlight the variation in teamwork and communication weaknesses and underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve relational coordination. This study provides insights into the complexity of relational dynamics in health care settings. This suggests that improving relational coordination through tailored strategies could significantly improve team effectiveness, quality of patient care, and overall system efficiency