Every second patient prefers a specialist in the clinic

Almost every second patient prefers long waiting times at the specialist for treatment in a hospital outpatient clinic

22/11/2013

In Germany, patients sometimes have to wait several weeks or even months for an appointment with the specialist. After a representative Forsa survey on behalf of the health insurance DAK health, almost every second patient prefers the visit to the specialist in treatment in a hospital outpatient clinic. This informs the fund of an agreement in the current coalition negotiations between the Union and the SPD.

Women wait longer than men for an appointment with the specialist
Every second patient would be treated in a clinic instead of taking long waiting for a specialist appointment, according to the results of a survey commissioned by DAK. As part of the coalition talks Union and SPD recently agreed that patients who have to wait longer than four weeks for an appointment with the specialist, may in the future also be treated in a clinic. So far that was not possible.

However, according to the survey, only 47 percent of respondents would use it. Almost as many (45 percent) respondents would prefer to wait for the specialist appointment. „For insured, long waiting times for a specialist appointment are a burden in times that are often characterized by fears, uncertainty and physical suffering“, reports Herbert Rebscher, CEO of DAK-Gesundheit.

Overall, 28 percent of respondents know longer waiting times. In eastern Germany, this share is even 39 percent. There is also a clear difference between the sexes. For example, 37 percent of women often wait more than four weeks for an appointment with the specialist, while only 19 percent of men are affected by it. Even between the generations there are deviations: For the 18 to 29-year-olds, according to the survey, a little more than a third has to wait longer, with the seniors it is only a quarter. (Ag)