A pilot survey about waste management in European hospitals: Focusing on electrical and electronic equipment

Aim: Waste, including waste from electrical and electronic equipment, has been increasing for many years. This pilot study aims to describe hospital waste management in three European countries (including collection, disposal and recycling). Subject: and methods The survey was carried out in eight hospitals, two in Rome (Italy), three in Dresden (Germany) and three in Belgrade (Serbia). A questionnaire was used to gain more knowledge about hospital waste management, especially regarding electrical and electronic equipment. Results: The survey results show that treatment of electrical and electronic equipment is a difficult and expensive task in all studied hospitals and countries. Only one half of the hospitals have a standardised procedure for waste treatment. While one eighth has a procedure for some equipment, 37.5% do not have one; and whereas one quarter do not have an office of waste management, a waste register is available in 62.5% of the hospitals. Conclusion: Either waste management procedures differ between the eight studied hospitals and countries, or there is no (prescribed) waste management procedure at all. With regard to the two facts, common regulations are necessary to manage waste disposal and treatment in European countries and hospitals. © Springer-Verlag 2011

Essential Skills for Health Communication, Barriers, Facilitators and the Need for Training: Perceptions of Healthcare Professionals from Seven European Countries

Many healthcare professionals are unaware of the necessary skills and barriers hindering interpersonal health communication. This study aimed to evaluate the healthcare professional's perception regarding health communication training's necessity, barriers, facilitators and critical skills in health communication. Data from a cross-sectional online survey in the framework of the H-Com project were utilized. The study included 691 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, students and allied health professionals) from seven European countries. Only 57% of participants had participated in health communication training, while 88.1% of them indicated a willingness to be trained in health communication. Nurses were more likely (OR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.16, 2.91) to have received such training, compared to physicians. Most examined communication skills, barriers and facilitators of effective communication, and perceived outcomes of successful communication were considered crucial for most participants, although physicians overall seemed to be less concerned. Most agreed perceived outcomes were improved professional-patient relations, patient and professional satisfaction, physical and psychological health amelioration and patients' trust. Nurses evaluated the importance of these communication skills and communication barriers, facilitators and outcomes higher than physicians. Physicians may underestimate the importance of communication skills more than nurses. Health communication should become an integral part of training for all health professionals