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How Do German General Practitioners Assess Medical Specialist Care Needs of Nursing Home Residents? Results of a Postal Survey in North-Western Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Ove Spreckelsen

    (Division of General Practice, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Guido Schmiemann

    (Department of Health Services Research, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Science, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
    Institute for General Practice, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Alexander Maximilian Fassmer

    (Division of Outpatient Care and Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Bettina Engel

    (Division of General Practice, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Falk Hoffmann

    (Division of Outpatient Care and Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Michael Hermann Freitag

    (Division of General Practice, Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

Abstract

The frequency of contacts of nursing home residents with medical specialists is lower compared to the general population of the same age group in Germany. The aim of this study was to assess general practitioners’ (GPs) views on specialist care needs of nursing home residents, on questions of qualification and care coordination. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a postal questionnaire among a representative sample of 1121 GPs in north-western Germany in 2018. The perceptions of GPs about the relative importance of the type of specialist care that is required in nursing homes was assessed on a five-point Likert scale (0 = very low to 4 = very high). A total of 375 GPs (response 33.5%; mean age 54.4 years; 57.6% male) participated in the survey. GPs assessed care needs as highest for neurologists and psychiatrists (68.7%) and lowest for gynecologists (6.5%). Almost all respondents (96.2%) strongly agreed that medical care for nursing home residents should be coordinated by GPs and that GPs should initiate the referral for further specialist care when required (87.5%). A minority (25.7%) agreed that quality of medical care would improve when care for a nursing home was provided by only one GP practice. GPs perceive the needs of nursing home residents for specialist care as high only in relation to care by neurologists and psychiatrists. GPs consider their own coordination function for medical care in nursing homes as very important.

Suggested Citation

  • Ove Spreckelsen & Guido Schmiemann & Alexander Maximilian Fassmer & Bettina Engel & Falk Hoffmann & Michael Hermann Freitag, 2020. "How Do German General Practitioners Assess Medical Specialist Care Needs of Nursing Home Residents? Results of a Postal Survey in North-Western Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7126-:d:421294
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Florence M. F. Wong & Yannies T. Y. Ng & W. Keung Leung, 2019. "Oral Health and Its Associated Factors Among Older Institutionalized Residents—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-29, October.
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