Work package
Socio-medical tools
The challenge
The treatment of tuberculosis is lengthy and usually takes at least six months. Side effects are not uncommon. Although most of those affected are motivated to get well, external circumstances often make it difficult for them to take their medication regularly. In Germany, approximately three-quarters of people with tuberculosis were not born in Germany. Many of them find themselves in difficult life situations that present additional barriers: uncertain residence status, lack of financial stability, lack of family or social support, and insufficient knowledge of how to navigate the German healthcare system.
Language and culture
Open and attentive communication – ideally in the language in which the patient feels at home – is the basis for a trusting relationship with the treating professionals. Information conveyed in this way can help reduce fear and diminish prejudice, both among those affected and within their environment. In everyday medical practice, however, there is often not enough time for such detailed conversations. In addition, existing regional or supraregional language mediation services are often not known.
Because linguistic and cultural mediation plays a key role in treatment success, we have given this topic special attention in the form of a dedicated work package.
Financing of tuberculosis therapy
Depending on the residence status, different cost bearers are responsible for financing the therapy. It is often a complex and time-consuming task to clarify the correct responsibility in individual cases. To provide support in this process, we have compiled the experience of professionals from various treatment centers and prepared it in a practice-oriented decision aid. This is intended to facilitate the path toward reliable and secured financing of the treatment.
Documents and forms
On the No1Lost online platform, we provide a library of commonly needed documents and forms that can be used for socio-medical support. These templates can be adapted to individual needs. To ensure that the appropriate materials can be found quickly for different purposes and within regional legal frameworks, the documents are organized by keywords and regions.
