Strausberg

This research aims to explore the role of Digital Navigators (DN) in helping general practitioners, outpatient psychiatrists, psychologists, and their patients use digital mental health apps (DiGAs) and incorporate them into treatment. The study focuses on understanding the acceptance, expectations, and potential benefits of Digital Navigators, including their impact on patients' psychological health, digital health literacy, and technical skills. It targets patients with mental disorders who have access to smartphones and basic digital skills. Trained medical team members, primarily medical assistants, become Digital Navigators through a specialized training program adapted from Harvard Medical School. These Digital Navigators support treatment teams in selecting and integrating suitable digital health applications and assist patients over a 12-week period to find and use appropriate mental health apps. The intervention includes guidance through the DiGAnavigator.de website and ongoing support to enhance adherence and ease the burden on healthcare providers. Participants undergo assessments before and after the 12-week support period, measuring digital health literacy focused on information retrieval and interactive skills, as well as attitudes and expectations toward Digital Navigators. Researchers also evaluate implementation challenges and the effects on patients and professionals using standardized scales. The study includes interviews, focus groups, and surveys to capture digital skills, willingness to change, and illness severity. The goal is to establish sustainable training for Digital Navigators in mental health care.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Veregen4 10% ointment compared to a placebo in treating actinic keratosis, a skin condition affecting the face and scalp. The study involves adult patients aged 18 years and older with mild to moderate actinic keratosis lesions, focusing on achieving complete clearance of the treated skin area. The study is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial conducted in Germany. Participants will self-apply the Veregen4 10% ointment or placebo to a defined treatment area on the face or bald scalp for 12 weeks. Following this treatment phase, there is a 4-week post-treatment period during which patients are monitored for sustained clearance of lesions. The ointment is applied to 4 to 8 isolated lesions within a 25 cm8 contiguous area, targeting lesions classified as Olsen grade I or II. During the study, participants will be regularly assessed for complete clearance of their treatment area, with the primary outcome measured at the end of 12 weeks of treatment and again after the 4-week post-treatment period, totaling 16 weeks. Evaluations include clinical examination of the skin lesions, adherence to treatment, and monitoring for any side effects or safety concerns. The study carefully tracks patients' ability to follow instructions and complete all study requirements throughout the participation period.