Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 155-160 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 24 Aug 2010 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2011 |
Abstract
Background: Currently, palliative care is widely discussed. The aim of this study is to explore different aspects of the ambulatory treatment environment of palliative care patients and its structure in Germany from the viewpoint of caring physicians. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed and sent to 1,003 office-based physicians in Germany. Topics were the delivery and effort of care, cooperation among health care providers, the subjective assessment of existing health care structures, the reimbursement system, as well as an assessment of future developments. Sub-group analyses were conducted. Results: Three hundred fourteen questionnaires were included in the statistical analyses. Fifty percent of physicians estimate the additional time and effort for palliative care patients compared to non-palliative care patients to be 50% and more. The best cooperation is seen with caregivers; however, cooperation with psycho-social care providers should be improved. Fifty percent describe the outpatient health care situation as (very) insufficient, but improvements are expected in the future. Ninety percent assess German reimbursement structures as (very) insufficient. Conclusions: This study gives an insight into the German outpatient health care setting for palliative care patients. Palliative care patients have higher and more complex needs with respect to health care than other patients. Further studies should focus on the collection of longitudinal patient data for more comprehensive insight.
Keywords
- Constipation, Germany, Palliative care, Palliative medicine, Reimbursement, SAPV
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Journal of Public Health, Vol. 19, No. 2, 04.2011, p. 155-160.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Aspects of outpatient palliative care in Germany
T2 - a survey among office-based physicians
AU - Prenzler, Anne
AU - Mittendorf, Thomas
AU - Von Der Schulenburg, Johann Matthias
AU - Theidel, Ulrike
AU - Montag, Thomas
AU - Müller-Busch, Hans Christof
N1 - Funding Information: Funding/Conflict of interest This work was supported by Wyeth Pharma GmbH, Germany, a company of the Pfizer Group. Apart from the funding, the authors declare they have no further conflict of interest.
PY - 2011/4
Y1 - 2011/4
N2 - Background: Currently, palliative care is widely discussed. The aim of this study is to explore different aspects of the ambulatory treatment environment of palliative care patients and its structure in Germany from the viewpoint of caring physicians. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed and sent to 1,003 office-based physicians in Germany. Topics were the delivery and effort of care, cooperation among health care providers, the subjective assessment of existing health care structures, the reimbursement system, as well as an assessment of future developments. Sub-group analyses were conducted. Results: Three hundred fourteen questionnaires were included in the statistical analyses. Fifty percent of physicians estimate the additional time and effort for palliative care patients compared to non-palliative care patients to be 50% and more. The best cooperation is seen with caregivers; however, cooperation with psycho-social care providers should be improved. Fifty percent describe the outpatient health care situation as (very) insufficient, but improvements are expected in the future. Ninety percent assess German reimbursement structures as (very) insufficient. Conclusions: This study gives an insight into the German outpatient health care setting for palliative care patients. Palliative care patients have higher and more complex needs with respect to health care than other patients. Further studies should focus on the collection of longitudinal patient data for more comprehensive insight.
AB - Background: Currently, palliative care is widely discussed. The aim of this study is to explore different aspects of the ambulatory treatment environment of palliative care patients and its structure in Germany from the viewpoint of caring physicians. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed and sent to 1,003 office-based physicians in Germany. Topics were the delivery and effort of care, cooperation among health care providers, the subjective assessment of existing health care structures, the reimbursement system, as well as an assessment of future developments. Sub-group analyses were conducted. Results: Three hundred fourteen questionnaires were included in the statistical analyses. Fifty percent of physicians estimate the additional time and effort for palliative care patients compared to non-palliative care patients to be 50% and more. The best cooperation is seen with caregivers; however, cooperation with psycho-social care providers should be improved. Fifty percent describe the outpatient health care situation as (very) insufficient, but improvements are expected in the future. Ninety percent assess German reimbursement structures as (very) insufficient. Conclusions: This study gives an insight into the German outpatient health care setting for palliative care patients. Palliative care patients have higher and more complex needs with respect to health care than other patients. Further studies should focus on the collection of longitudinal patient data for more comprehensive insight.
KW - Constipation
KW - Germany
KW - Palliative care
KW - Palliative medicine
KW - Reimbursement
KW - SAPV
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79958018362&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10389-010-0360-8
DO - 10.1007/s10389-010-0360-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79958018362
VL - 19
SP - 155
EP - 160
JO - Journal of Public Health
JF - Journal of Public Health
SN - 0943-1853
IS - 2
ER -