Das Gesundheitswesen
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Das Gesundheitswesen · Jul 2011
Comparative Study[Measurement of patient preferences in ambulatory health-care centres (MVZ)--a comparison of quality of treatment between MVZ and family general practitioners].
The measurement of patient preferences on the basis of perceived quality of care in a comparison of two ambulatory health-care centres (medizinisches Versorgungszentrum, MVZ) with traditional ambulatory care consisting of single ambulatory practices was undertaken. The influence of the patients' perceived quality of care on patients' preference for an MVZ or traditional ambulatory care setting was analysed. Determinants of the patients' preference were identified. ⋯ The judgment in favour of the ambulatory health-care centres (MVZ) could be explained by organisational structures typical of these centres, e. g., the increased information sharing and cooperation amongst doctors. The identified determinants of the patients' "preference" indicate a practical approach for attaining a preference position in the health market, both for medical care centres as well as for single medical practices.
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Das Gesundheitswesen · Jun 2011
[Assessment of fitness for police custody: the physicians' responsibility and legal liability].
In contrast to several other European countries, German law provides only insufficient regulations on who is responsible for the medical assessment of persons in police custody. The police frequently report that doctors refuse to assess fitness for custody. Under consideration of the current legal background, we will discuss whether and, if so, which physicians can be obligated to carry out these assessments. We also examine a physician's possible exposure to criminal and civil liability if he or she refuses to assess fitness for custody or fails to render a correct assessment.
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Das Gesundheitswesen · May 2011
[Back pain, pain therapy and satisfaction with therapy--analyses in a cohort of elderly primary health care patients (getABI)].
Back pain can affect quality of life and independence of elderly people. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of back pain in a cohort of elderly primary health care patients, as well as to analyse pain therapy and level of satisfaction with therapy. ⋯ The prevalence of back pain in elderly people is high and leads to functional limitations. As a consequence of the rather low mean satisfaction with pain therapy, future studies on back pain therapy should include an assessment of patient preferences and satisfaction with therapy. It remains questionable, if the current medical care for elderly people with back pain complies with the latest guidelines that demand for multimodal therapy.