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Duevel JA, Baumgartner A, Grosser J, Kreimeier S, Elkenkamp S, Greiner W. A Case Management Approach in Stroke Care: A Mixed-Methods Acceptance Analysis From the Perspective of the Medical Profession. Prof Case Manag 2024; 29:158-170. [PMID: 38015804 DOI: 10.1097/ncm.0000000000000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF STUDY In terms of continuous and coordinated health care, cross-sectoral care structures are crucial. However, the German health care system is characterized by fragmentation of medical services and responsibilities. This fragmentation leads to multiple interfaces frequently causing loss of information, effectiveness, and quality. The concept of case management has the potential to improve cooperation between sectors and health care providers. Hence, a case management intervention for patients with stroke was evaluated with an acceptance analysis on the physicians' willingness to cooperate with stroke managers and their assessment of the potential of case management for the health care of patients with stroke. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS Primary practice settings included physicians working in the hospital, rehabilitation, and outpatient sectors who had actual or potential contact with a stroke case manager within the project region of East Westphalia-Lippe. METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE The analysis was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. Expert interviews were conducted in 2020. Afterward a questionnaire was developed, which was then distributed to physicians in 2021. Both the interviews and the questionnaire included questions on conceptual knowledge and concrete expectations prior of the project, on experiences during the project and on recommendations and physicians' assessment of future organization in health care to classify and describe the acceptance. RESULTS Nine interviews were conducted and 23 questionnaires were completed. Only slightly more than 50% of the physicians had prior knowledge of the case management approach. Overall, ambiguous results concerning the acceptance of case managers were revealed. Additional personal assistance for patients with stroke was seen as beneficial at the same time critical perspectives regarding further fragmentation of health care and overlapping of competences with existing professional groups or forms of health care were collected. General practitioners in particular were critical of the case management approach. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE From the physicians' point of view, at least two changes are necessary for the project approach to be integrated into standard care. First, the target group should be adapted according to the case management approach. Second, the delegation of tasks and responsibilities to case managers should be revised. The sectoral difference in the acceptance of case managers by physicians indicates that active cooperation and communication in everyday work has direct impact on the acceptance of a new occupational profession. Physician acceptance has a significant impact on the implementation of new treatment modalities and thus influences the overall quality of health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Andrea Duevel
- Juliane Andrea Duevel, MSc, completed her master's degree in public health (Bielefeld University) and since 2018 has been a research associate at the Chair of Health Economics and Health Management at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Alina Baumgartner, MSc, has a master's degree in public health and is doing her PhD phase at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Public Health, Erlangen
- John Grosser, MSc, has a master's degree in mathematics (Technical University, Dortmund), and another master's degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio). He is research associate with Prof. Greiner since October 2020
- Simone Kreimeier, DrPH, has been a research associate in Prof. Greiner's working group at the Bielefeld University since October 2010 and has been a senior research scientist since 2020 (doctoral degree in Public Health)
- Svenja Elkenkamp, MSc, MEd, has a master's degree in mathematics and biology and another master's degree in statistical science (Bielefeld University). She is research associate with Prof. Greiner since March 2018
- Wolfgang Greiner, has been Chair of "Health Economics and Health Care Management" at Bielefeld University since April 2005. He also holds the position of dean of the Faculty of Public Health since 2022
| | - Alina Baumgartner
- Juliane Andrea Duevel, MSc, completed her master's degree in public health (Bielefeld University) and since 2018 has been a research associate at the Chair of Health Economics and Health Management at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Alina Baumgartner, MSc, has a master's degree in public health and is doing her PhD phase at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Public Health, Erlangen
- John Grosser, MSc, has a master's degree in mathematics (Technical University, Dortmund), and another master's degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio). He is research associate with Prof. Greiner since October 2020
- Simone Kreimeier, DrPH, has been a research associate in Prof. Greiner's working group at the Bielefeld University since October 2010 and has been a senior research scientist since 2020 (doctoral degree in Public Health)
- Svenja Elkenkamp, MSc, MEd, has a master's degree in mathematics and biology and another master's degree in statistical science (Bielefeld University). She is research associate with Prof. Greiner since March 2018
- Wolfgang Greiner, has been Chair of "Health Economics and Health Care Management" at Bielefeld University since April 2005. He also holds the position of dean of the Faculty of Public Health since 2022
| | - John Grosser
- Juliane Andrea Duevel, MSc, completed her master's degree in public health (Bielefeld University) and since 2018 has been a research associate at the Chair of Health Economics and Health Management at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Alina Baumgartner, MSc, has a master's degree in public health and is doing her PhD phase at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Public Health, Erlangen
- John Grosser, MSc, has a master's degree in mathematics (Technical University, Dortmund), and another master's degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio). He is research associate with Prof. Greiner since October 2020
- Simone Kreimeier, DrPH, has been a research associate in Prof. Greiner's working group at the Bielefeld University since October 2010 and has been a senior research scientist since 2020 (doctoral degree in Public Health)
- Svenja Elkenkamp, MSc, MEd, has a master's degree in mathematics and biology and another master's degree in statistical science (Bielefeld University). She is research associate with Prof. Greiner since March 2018
- Wolfgang Greiner, has been Chair of "Health Economics and Health Care Management" at Bielefeld University since April 2005. He also holds the position of dean of the Faculty of Public Health since 2022
| | - Simone Kreimeier
- Juliane Andrea Duevel, MSc, completed her master's degree in public health (Bielefeld University) and since 2018 has been a research associate at the Chair of Health Economics and Health Management at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Alina Baumgartner, MSc, has a master's degree in public health and is doing her PhD phase at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Public Health, Erlangen
- John Grosser, MSc, has a master's degree in mathematics (Technical University, Dortmund), and another master's degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio). He is research associate with Prof. Greiner since October 2020
- Simone Kreimeier, DrPH, has been a research associate in Prof. Greiner's working group at the Bielefeld University since October 2010 and has been a senior research scientist since 2020 (doctoral degree in Public Health)
- Svenja Elkenkamp, MSc, MEd, has a master's degree in mathematics and biology and another master's degree in statistical science (Bielefeld University). She is research associate with Prof. Greiner since March 2018
- Wolfgang Greiner, has been Chair of "Health Economics and Health Care Management" at Bielefeld University since April 2005. He also holds the position of dean of the Faculty of Public Health since 2022
| | - Svenja Elkenkamp
- Juliane Andrea Duevel, MSc, completed her master's degree in public health (Bielefeld University) and since 2018 has been a research associate at the Chair of Health Economics and Health Management at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Alina Baumgartner, MSc, has a master's degree in public health and is doing her PhD phase at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Public Health, Erlangen
- John Grosser, MSc, has a master's degree in mathematics (Technical University, Dortmund), and another master's degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio). He is research associate with Prof. Greiner since October 2020
- Simone Kreimeier, DrPH, has been a research associate in Prof. Greiner's working group at the Bielefeld University since October 2010 and has been a senior research scientist since 2020 (doctoral degree in Public Health)
- Svenja Elkenkamp, MSc, MEd, has a master's degree in mathematics and biology and another master's degree in statistical science (Bielefeld University). She is research associate with Prof. Greiner since March 2018
- Wolfgang Greiner, has been Chair of "Health Economics and Health Care Management" at Bielefeld University since April 2005. He also holds the position of dean of the Faculty of Public Health since 2022
| | - Wolfgang Greiner
- Juliane Andrea Duevel, MSc, completed her master's degree in public health (Bielefeld University) and since 2018 has been a research associate at the Chair of Health Economics and Health Management at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Alina Baumgartner, MSc, has a master's degree in public health and is doing her PhD phase at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health Technology Assessment and Public Health, Erlangen
- John Grosser, MSc, has a master's degree in mathematics (Technical University, Dortmund), and another master's degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio). He is research associate with Prof. Greiner since October 2020
- Simone Kreimeier, DrPH, has been a research associate in Prof. Greiner's working group at the Bielefeld University since October 2010 and has been a senior research scientist since 2020 (doctoral degree in Public Health)
- Svenja Elkenkamp, MSc, MEd, has a master's degree in mathematics and biology and another master's degree in statistical science (Bielefeld University). She is research associate with Prof. Greiner since March 2018
- Wolfgang Greiner, has been Chair of "Health Economics and Health Care Management" at Bielefeld University since April 2005. He also holds the position of dean of the Faculty of Public Health since 2022
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Peter L, Stumm J, Wäscher C, Heintze C, Döpfmer S. [General practices and community care points work hand in hand in the care of multimorbid patients: What are the advantages? - A qualitative study with general practitioners and medical practice assistants]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EVIDENZ, FORTBILDUNG UND QUALITAT IM GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 182-183:98-105. [PMID: 37957059 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caring for an increasing number of multimorbid people is a challenge for general practices in Germany. A possible approach to ensure future care could be the cooperation between general practices and community care points, which have so far been a little-known option among general practitioners. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits or additional burdens that, from the perspective of general practices, a cooperation between general practices and community care points would bring for both the general practitioners themselves and their patients. METHODS In the mixed-methods study COMPASS II, general practices were able to refer multimorbid patients with social counselling needs to a community care point. Semi-structured guideline-based telephone interviews were conducted with nine general practitioners and nine medical practice assistants regarding the feasibility of cooperation with the community care points. The interviews were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS In the qualitative interviews, the general practitioners and medical practice assistants reported that the community care points helped them save time by relieving them of social counselling tasks. The interviewees felt relieved by knowing that the community care points expertly take care of their patients' social concerns. From the perspective of the interviewees, multimorbid patients experienced changes in their care through the counselling in community care points, such as adjusting the level of care they require. Social counsellors provided patients and their relatives with an overview of the support options available. The majority of the interviewees did not feel that cooperating with the community care point put an additional burden on their patients or on themselves. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Cooperation between general practices and community care points has the potential to improve care for multimorbid patients and reduce the workload burden on general practices. Community care points are legally anchored counselling services which general practitioners could increasingly involve in the care of patients with multimorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Peter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Judith Stumm
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Cornelia Wäscher
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Christoph Heintze
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Susanne Döpfmer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Wolf F, Krause M, Meißner F, Rost L, Bleidorn J, Dierks MT, Kuschick D, Kuempel L, Toutaoui K, Riens B, Schmidt K, Heintze C, Döpfmer S. [Attitudes of general practitioners and medical practice assistants towards the delegation of medical services: Results of a survey in Berlin, Brandenburg and Thuringia]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 85:1115-1123. [PMID: 38081173 PMCID: PMC10713333 DOI: 10.1055/a-2158-8982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The delegation of tasks and responsibilities from general practitioners (GPs) to medical practice assistants (MPAs) can contribute to ensuring primary care in Germany. The aim of the study was to collect and analyze attitudes and procedures of GPs and MPAs regarding the delegation of physician-related tasks and activities. METHODOLOGY A self-designed, piloted questionnaire was sent to all GPs listed within the regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) in Thuringia, Berlin, and Brandenburg (n=5,516) and their MPAs. Participants were asked to indicate which physician-related activities were already delegated and on which occasions further delegations could be considered. RESULTS 890 GPs (response rate: 16.1%) and 566 MPAs participated in the written survey. The participants were predominantly female and most of them worked in urban areas. Numerous activities, such as medical history taking, triage, Disease Management Program (DMP) controls, vaccinations and home visits, have already been delegated. The willingness to delegate further tasks (e. g., follow-up prescriptions and referrals, independent takeover of simple consultations, assessing the necessity of physician consultation) was high. CONCLUSION The survey showed a high level of willingness of both occupational groups to delegate physician-related activities to MFAs. An expansion seems possible under certain conditions. Many activities have already been delegated to MPAs in primary care practices. Our survey provides suggestions regarding further tasks suitable for delegation, some of which go beyond the delegation agreement valid in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Wolf
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum
Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Markus Krause
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum
Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Meißner
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum
Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Liliana Rost
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum
Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jutta Bleidorn
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum
Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Marius Tibor Dierks
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Doreen Kuschick
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Kuempel
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kahina Toutaoui
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Burgi Riens
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Konrad Schmidt
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum
Jena, Jena, Germany
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Heintze
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Döpfmer
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Stumm J, Peter L, Kuempel L, Erdmann LR, Dierks MT, Heintze C, Döpfmer S. [Do General Practitioners have Experience with Social Care Points? A Berlin-Wide Survey]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 85:1010-1015. [PMID: 37028418 PMCID: PMC10653982 DOI: 10.1055/a-2035-9289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Primary care for multimorbid patients involves social counseling in addition to medical care. Community care points are established institutions for social counseling at district level in Berlin. A Berlin-wide questionnaire survey examined primary care physicians' knowledge of and experience with community care points. 700 questionnaires were analysed exploratively and descriptively. General practitioners were only partially familiar with the services of community care points (60% barely or not at all). 57% of the general practitioners stated that they already had contact with community care points. General practitioners who had not yet had contact with a community care point recommended other advice centers for social (76%) and care-related advice (79%) to their patients. A majority of general practitioners expressed a wish to get more information about community care points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Stumm
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Peter
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Kuempel
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lara Regina Erdmann
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marius Tibor Dierks
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Heintze
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Döpfmer
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Charité –
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie
Universität Berlin, Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, and
Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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Stumm J, Peter L, Wäscher C, Heintze C, Döpfmer S. [Referrals from general practice to community care points. What are the patients' experiences? An interview study]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EVIDENZ, FORTBILDUNG UND QUALITAT IM GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 181:55-64. [PMID: 37453916 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary care for multimorbid patients does not only include medical but also social counseling. In Germany, community care points represent an institutionalised support offer for counseling for social and care-related issues at district level. METHODS Within the framework of an intervention study on the cooperation between general practices and community care points in Berlin, 14 telephone interviews were conducted with multimorbid patients with social counseling needs who received advice by a community care point. The aim was to investigate satisfaction with the cooperation process as a whole and with the counseling provided by the community care points. The transcribed interviews were analysed using the framework analysis. RESULTS Overall, the patients were satisfied with the counseling they received from the community care points. In many cases, even after counseling, patients were not aware of the range of services offered by the community care points, and there was confusion about community care points and locally known mobile care services. Patients felt that it was particularly important to have a friendly, reliable contact person, to be close to their own place of residence and to have a long-term connection to the service. From the point of view of those affected, the general practitioner remains an important contact person who initiates the counseling, if necessary, and coordinates the interventions to be derived from the counseling result. DISCUSSION The confusion about community care points and mobile care services due to a lack of knowledge about the range of services offered by community care points are central topics in the interviews. This could be due to the heterogeneous supply of the community care points as well as the lack of networking with GP practices. A standardisation of the offer and increased information and networking activities of the community care points at district level could contribute to an increased level of awareness and improve transparency of their services. CONCLUSION In the long term, cooperation between community care points and general practitioners could help relieve the burden on general practitioners and improve social care for multimorbid patients at district level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Stumm
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland.
| | - Lisa Peter
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Cornelia Wäscher
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Christoph Heintze
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Susanne Döpfmer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Deutschland
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Fischer S, Schrimpf A, Herget S, Lippmann S, Coenen M, Heiland NH, Panknin C, Weckbecker K, Bleckwenn M. [General practitioners' perception of integrated care using communication technologies: a secondary analysis of a focus group of the Horizon 2020 funded project POLYCARE]. MMW Fortschr Med 2022; 164:16-22. [PMID: 35831744 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-022-1133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrated healthcare models (IC) have the objective of reducing the costs of an increased use of health service as well as the strong sectoral fragmentation of the German health care system. However, no national approach has been implemented in primary care to date. METHOD Ten GPs from the Cologne/Bonn district (60% male; Ø age = 52 years [35-65]) were invited to a focus group in 2016. The interview was part of the Horizon 2020 funded POLYCARE study. A semi-structured guideline was used to assess feasibility of the POLYCARE study protocol. GPs also provided information about previous experience with and attitudes toward IC models and the relevant information and communication technologies (ICT), such as home-monitoring or communication software. This information was analyzed using a transcending secondary analysis to evaluate conditions for their successful implementation. RESULTS Participants reported little experience with IC and ICT. However, they reported being open to both and seeing potential for time savings, better networking opportunities, and increased quality of care for their patients. The integration of social services was considered as a chance of alleviating the burden of socio-medical tasks. Barriers to the introduction of IC and ICT were seen in the initial time investment, the lack of legal structures, the concern about overabundant data, and the susceptibility to failure. CONCLUSION The nationwide expansion of social services as well as ICT that is easy to use, less susceptible to failure, and compatible with existing structures show great potential for relieving GPs. Future research should address the concerns - such as financial and time expenses of introducing IC and ICT - of GPs by systematic investigation in long-term studies. The provision of an additional legal basis that is regulating the respective remuneration models as well as the rights and obligations of all parties, IC and ICT can play a greater role in future patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Fischer
- Selbstständige Abteilung für Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.
| | - Anne Schrimpf
- Selbstständige Abteilung für Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Sabine Herget
- Selbstständige Abteilung für Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Stefan Lippmann
- Selbstständige Abteilung für Allgemeinmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland
| | - Martin Coenen
- Univ.-Klinikum Bonn, Institut f. Klin. Chemie u. Klinische Pharmakologie, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Nils Henning Heiland
- Univ.-Klinikum Bonn, Institut f. Klin. Chemie u. Klinische Pharmakologie, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Christina Panknin
- Univ.-Klinikum Bonn, Institut f. Klin. Chemie u. Klinische Pharmakologie, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Klaus Weckbecker
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin und Interprofessionelle Versorgung, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Deutschland
| | - Markus Bleckwenn
- Selbstständige Abteilung für Allgemeinmedizin, Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipzig, Deutschland
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Development of a patient-oriented navigation model for patients with lung cancer and stroke in Germany. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:785. [PMID: 35710375 PMCID: PMC9202203 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The concept of patient navigation was first established in the USA to support vulnerable patient groups in receiving timely and comprehensive access to cancer care. It has recently gained increasing interest in Germany to support patients with chronic diseases in a fragmented healthcare system. The aim of this paper is to present the development of such a model adapted to the German context based on the results of mixed-methods studies investigating the need for and barriers to patient-oriented care. Methods In a process adapted from Delphi rounds, we conducted regular structured workshops with investigators of the project to discuss results of their studies and identify content and structure of the model based on the data. Workshop discussions were structured along seven core components of a navigation model including target patient groups, navigator tasks, occupational background and education of navigators, and patient-navigator interaction mode. Results Using an approach based on empirical data of current care practices with special focus on patients’ perspectives, we developed a patient-oriented navigation model for patients who have experienced stroke and lung cancer in the German healthcare context. Patients without personal social support were viewed as struggling most with the healthcare system, as well as multimorbid and elderly patients. Navigators should serve as a longer-term contact person with a flexible contact mode and timing based on the individual situation and preferences of patients. Navigator tasks include the provision of administrative and organizational support as well as referral and guidance to available resources and beneficial health programs with special forms of knowledge. Implementation of the navigator should be flexibly located to ensure a reliable outreach to vulnerable patients for first contact in settings like specialized in-patient and out-patient settings, while navigation itself focuses on care coordination in the out-patient setting. Conclusion Flexibility of navigator tasks needed to be a core characteristic of a navigation model to be perceived as supportive from patients’ perspectives. In a subsequent feasibility study, an intervention based on the model will be evaluated according to its acceptance, demand, and practicality.
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Trusch B, Heintze C, Petelos E, Dini L. Collaboration amongst general practitioners and gynaecologists working in primary health care in Germany: a cross-sectional study. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2021; 22:e42. [PMID: 34521498 PMCID: PMC8444271 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423621000165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM This cross-sectional study is the first one to explore the collaboration of the influencing factors thereof amongst general practitioners (GPs) and gynaecologists (Gyns) working in primary care in urban and rural settings in Germany. BACKGROUND The number of women aged ≥ 50 years is predicted to increase in the next years in Germany. This coincides with the ageing of primary care specialists providing outpatient care. Whereas delegation of tasks to nurses as a form of interprofessional collaboration has been the target of recent studies, there is no data regarding collaboration amongst physicians in different specialisations working in primary care. We explored collaboration amongst GPs and Gyn regarding the healthcare provision to women aged ≥ 50 years. METHODS A quantitative postal survey was administered to GPs and Gyns in three federal states in Germany, focusing on care provision to women aged ≥ 50 years. A total of 4545 physicians, comprising 3514 GPs (67% of the total GP population) randomly selected, and all 1031 Gyns practicing in these states received the postal survey in March 2018. A single reminder was sent in April 2018 with data collection ending in June 2018. Multiple logistic regressions were performed for collaboration, adjusted by age and sex, alongside descriptive methods. FINDINGS The overall response rate was 31% (1389 respondents): 861 GPs (25%) and 528 Gyns (51%), with the mean respondent age being 54.4 years. Seventy-two per cent were female. Key competencies of collaboration are associated with working in rural federal states and with network participation. Physicians from rural states [odds ratio (OR) = 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2, 1.9] and physicians in networks (OR = 3.0, CI = 2.3, 3.9) were more satisfied with collaboration. Collaboration to deliver services for women aged ≥ 50 years is more systematic amongst GPs and Gyns who are members of a network; increased networking could improve collaboration, and ultimately, outcomes too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Trusch
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of General Practice, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Heintze
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of General Practice, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elena Petelos
- Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Lorena Dini
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of General Practice, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
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