Das Gesundheitswesen
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In the German statutory social security system, the necessity of long-term care for chronically ill persons with multi-morbidity and reduced performance has made the socio-medical management of illness and its consequences an important characteristic of primary medical activity. In routine practice a discrepancy between the practical demands and social-medical insights has often been observed. With this in mind, the aim of our pilot study was to systematically collect data on the state of the art and attitudes towards the relevant spheres of work in a defined group of physicians and analyse this data. ⋯ There is a clear wish for increased consideration of socio-medical themes in specialist training courses. The great importance of socio-medical tasks as part of medical practice is undeniable to the study collective. The results underline the necessity for improved communication and co-operation between doctors involved in primary medical activity and in socio-medicine.