Patient doctors do not adequately inform

Patients in Germany do not feel sufficiently informed

06/21/2014

More than half of the patients in Germany want to be included by their doctor in the choice between different treatment options. However, 58 percent of them have never been given this opportunity. Almost all patients want more information.

58 percent of patients have never had an alternative
The majority of patients in Germany do not want to leave the doctor alone to decide which therapy is the right one for them. However, this wish often remains unfulfilled. Although 55 percent of patients want to be included in the choice between different treatment options, 58 percent have never been asked by their doctor before alternatives. This is the result of a survey of nearly 12,800 patients as part of the current health monitor of the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Barmer GEK.

Almost all want detailed information
In addition, the survey found that "95 percent of people want detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of therapy". However, 16 percent of patients felt that they were not familiar with the family doctor and even "24 percent of specialist patients are not well informed". 15 percent and 23 percent even complained that their specialist would not mention existing treatment options. And of the chronically ill, half of the sufferers complain that the doctor has not discussed treatment alternatives with them, and that although there is no therapeutic route to many chronic diseases.

Patients should actively approach doctors
„Doctors should point out possible treatment options on their own. We also recommend that patients actively approach the doctors if they are unsure about the type of treatment and need further advice“, said Dr. Rolf-Ulrich Schlenker, Deputy Chairman of the BARMER GEK. By demonstrating alternative therapies, the communication between doctor and patient will be strengthened. This could have a positive effect on the success of the treatment. Brigitte Mohn, CEO of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, also called for the potential of partner-based decision-making to be used by doctors and patients: „For these positive developments, however, the involvement of the patient must be long-term.“

Improved communication between doctor and patient
In addition, studies would show that the lack of time often used by physicians to communicate with patients is untenable. „In order for inclusion to be possible on a regular basis, the processes in the doctor-patient communication must change“, so poppy. The new electronic health card (eGK) should also contribute to improving communication between doctor and patient. But recently the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) complained that such plans had fallen by the wayside. There is even talk of „Billions grave electronic health card“. (Ad)