Background and objectives. Medical malpractice is an increasing phenomenon all over the world, and Romania is not spared. This matter is of concern as it has a significant impact on the physicians and the patients involved, as well as on the health care system and society in general. The purpose of our study was to perform an insight analysis on the reasons for medical malpractice complaints as well as the factors that facilitate the complaints to identify specific ways to prevent them and, implicitly, to improve the medical practice. Materials and Methods. The authors conducted a retrospective study of the medical malpractice complaints registered in the period 2006–2019 at the Commission for monitoring and professional competence for malpractice cases in the region of Moldova, Romania, collecting data on both the patients and the medical professionals involved. Results. The authors analyzed 153 complaints directed against 205 medical professionals and identified 15 categories of reasons for complaints, the most significant being related to the occurrence of complications, and to the doctor–patient interaction (e.g., communication, behavior, informed consent). The most frequently reported medical specialties were obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, general surgery, and orthopedics and traumatology. Emergency medicine was often involved in complaints suggesting an over utilization of this department in our country and the need for health policies, which could divert the large number of patients accessing emergency medicine towards primary care. Conclusions. Regarding the dysfunctions in the doctor–patient relationship frequently claimed by patients, the authors concluded that doctors need special undergraduate training and periodic updating during their practice for them to be able to adequately address the challenges of interacting with their patients.

Background: Complaints regarding medical practice represent a harsh reality of the current world. Patients have the right to receive explanations and compensation when they are injured during the medical act, but the increased potential for exposure to complaints determines personal and professional consequences for the doctors, with significant impact on their health and practice. Thus, the aim of our research was to analyze in depth the impact of complaints on the doctors involved. Materials and methods: The authors conducted a qualitative study, using a semi-structured interview, addressed to doctors who had complaints from patients. The participants in our research were identified using an adapted version of the snowball method. Results: After the analysis of the interviews using the inductive method, nine themes resulted, seven of which are addressed in this paper: injustice, personal impact, professional impact, difficulties, supportive factors, the attitude of the hospital management and the attitude of colleagues. At the personal level, the doctors were overwhelmed by insomnia, nightmares, stress and anxiety, and at the professional level by doubts about medical decisions, fear, anxiety and the tendency to avoid patients with severe diseases. Conclusions: The study revealed that physicians who had complaints from patients are deeply affected by the complaint itself and the associated investigation procedure, even if, to a lesser extent, some of the participants found motivation for a better management of the situation. The study also showed the need for changes in the legal and medical systems in order to create mechanisms to support the doctors during the investigation process.

Background and Objectives: Cannabinoids are currently used in cancer patients primarily for their pain-relieving and antiemetic properties. The aim of our review was to synthesize all available data of studies evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of cannabis in combination with oncological treatments in cancer patients and to explore ongoing studies with different goals and medical areas registered in the field of oncology worldwide. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A search using MEDLINE/PubMed database was performed between 1 January 2006 and 1 March 2022. Search terms included the following: cannabidiol, cannabis, CBD, dronabinol, endocannabinoids, medical marijuana, nabiximols, nabilone, THC, and cancer. All studies that examined the efficacy of cannabis administered during oncological treatments, regardless of cancer localization, subtype, and sample size, were considered eligible. Results: In three studies, cannabis was administered to patients with glioblastoma, and in two other studies, cannabis was used in combination with immunotherapy in various cancer subgroups. The results of the clinical trials in cancer patients are not sufficient to draw conclusions at this time. Interestingly, several other studies addressing the systemic effects of cannabinoids in cancer patients are currently listed in the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s registry on the ClinicalTrials.gov website. However, only one of the registered studies examined the efficacy of cannabinoids as a potential option for systemic cancer treatment. Conclusions: Although cannabis is touted to the public as a cancer cure, clinical trials need to clarify which combinations of chemotherapeutic agents with cannabinoids are useful for cancer patients.

Background and objectives: Medical malpractice is a phenomenon that shadows current medical practice, the number of complaints following an upward trend worldwide. The background for complaints is related both to the doctor and medical practice in general, as well as to the patient. The aim of this study was to identify a profile of the Romanian doctors who are more prone to receiving complaints, by analyzing the socio-demographic, professional and institutional characteristics. Materials and Methods: We conducted a quantitative, prospective research, the data being collected using a newly developed questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 24). We used counts, percentages, means and standard deviation, and comparative and correlational analyses. A logistic regression model was applied to select a statistically best-fit model to identify independent predictors for receiving complaints; a Hosmer–Lemeshow test was used to check the performance of the prediction model. Results: The study group consisted of 1684 doctors, of which 16.1% had been involved in a malpractice complaint. Results showed that men, senior doctors from surgical specialties who perform a greater number of on-call shifts, those who work in regional or county hospitals, those who have greater fear of receiving complaints and those whose life partner is a doctor with the same specialty are more prone to receiving complaints. Conclusions: The profile identified by the present research underlines the main characteristics that could be targeted with specific measures in order to prevent the ongoing increase of malpractice complaints in Romania.

A cancer diagnosis often triggers profound psychological and emotional distress as individuals reflect on existential issues such as life and death. The aim of this review was to provide estimates of suicide risk associated with digestive cancer worldwide, and to identify sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors associated with suicide risk in patients with digestive cancer. Materials and methods: The literature search was guided by the following question: What is the relationship between suicide and digestive cancer, and what sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors contribute to the risk of suicide in these patients? We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, and systematically reviewed the evidence, according to PRISMA guidelines, from relevant articles on the association between digestive system cancers and suicide outcomes published over a 14-year period (2011–2024). Eligible studies were searched in the main scientific databases up to August 2024. Results: There are many reasons why people die by suicide, including challenges faced by patients in mentally adapting to their new condition and physical illness. Studies have shown that the highest suicide rates in digestive cancer patients are observed in males, older age groups, single people, those with a poor cancer prognosis, and those with a lack of treatment provision (surgery or chemotherapy). The risk of suicide peaks at six months post-discrimination, remains stable for three years, and then declines. Conclusions: Systematic changes in cancer care, such as aggressive treatment of pain and physical symptoms, management of delirium and cognitive impairment, routine screening, increased monitoring, and proactive measures for high-risk patients, can play a critical role in preventing unnecessary deaths and addressing the increased vulnerability of cancer patients, underscoring the need for targeted psychological support and early intervention, especially during critical periods like diagnosis and post-treatment recovery.

Introduction: An accessible and affordable way to deliver behavior change programs to a large proportion of the growing community of cancer patients and survivors is through web-based methods of nutritional counselling.Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of web-based nutritional therapies targeting physical activity, diet, and/or weight control for cancer patients or survivors, primarily disseminated via modern technologies (mobile phone applications) or online.Materials and methods: The authors conducted a structured search of the PubMed database. Studies that have focused on physical activity (PA) and dietary change and/or weight control in adolescent and adult cancer patients and survivors have reported outcomes conducted via a broad modality.Results: Nine articles focused on web-based nutrition for patients with cancer and cancer survivors. They were conducted in the United States, Australia, Korea, China, and in the United Kingdom, and were published between 2018 and 2022 in a variety of scientific journals. The number of participants ranged from 20 to 159.Conclusion: Web-based nutrition counselling helps cancer patients and survivors improve their dietary intake, impacts their weight and quality of life, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Future research should evaluate (1) the differences in cost and coverage between face-to-face and web-based nutrition, (2) long-term outcomes, (3) cost-effectiveness, and last but not least, (4) the effectiveness of web-based nutrition in adolescents and children who suffer from cancer or who survived cancer, as nutritional status and body composition have a marked impact on clinical outcomes during and after treatment. The strength of this review lies in the large number of randomized controlled trials, which offer a guarantee of effectiveness and objectivity compared to cross-sectional studies.