[Patient representatives at the federal state level in Germany - results of a quantitative survey regarding the educational needs of patient representatives]

[Transparency and Efficiency through Digital Healthcare? Results of a Survey of Generation Y]

BACKGROUND

Generation Y represents a special target group in healthcare. Young, healthy and digitally socialized with integration of technologies into everyday life, they have specific needs. In the context of societal challenges such as demographic change and securing a skilled workforce, taking these needs into account, especially for maintaining health, should be the goal of public health as well as specific actors such as health insurers and employers.

AIM OF THE WORK

The research was intended to test and deepen the findings of two previous stages of work, specifically a qualitative survey. In this way, two research questions were to be answered: I: the importance of transparency and efficiency in the use of digital health innovations by Generation Y and II: the influence of socio-demographic and technology-associated factors on the use of digital health innovations by Generation Y in addition to the needs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

As a conclusion of a sequential approach, assessments of transparency- and efficiency-associated needs in context of the use of digital health innovations of persons from Generation Y were collected in a quantitative online survey. 355 fully completed data sets were analyzed using SPSS software. An ordinal regression analysis was used to test the influence of predictors from six previously formulated hypotheses.

RESULTS

The study was able to describe influences of the constructs transparency and efficiency on the use of apps and smart devices. The need for a sense of control had a significantly negative effect, while the need for structuring and seamless integration into everyday life had a significantly positive effect. Gender and technology readiness also had an impact. According to the data analysis, efficiency and thus a concrete everyday benefit from digital health innovations seems to be more relevant for Generation Y than autonomous empowerment and thus transparency.

CONCLUSION

By taking into account the needs described as well as corresponding preferences, the target group could be addressed and usage could potentially be increased. Prevention and health promotion, as well as their organization, should be able to be incorporated into everyday life at a low threshold, and everyday life should be positively supplemented and efficiently supported.

[Is there a need for more patient participation in Germany? : Analysis and outlook]

The involvement of patients in German healthcare lags far behind the required level. Despite the subject status of patients in the healthcare system, possibilities for codecision and active participation are rare. This paper points out structural fields of patient involvement, how a profound quality of participation can be ensured, and how implementation can be designed.Aiming at a higher acceptance of medical care decisions for persons affected, the integration of personal experience and knowledge is reasonable and necessary for the design and development of the healthcare system. Patients must be offered an education imparting information and competences for their participation. Learning modules from different training providers should transmit professional expertise as well as general systematic and methodical skills. Because of the key role the patient occupies administrating their health data, educational services should also be offered in this area. Possibilities for patient participation are offered at all interfaces between healthcare facilities, services, and products. Furthermore, decisions on allocations by the statutory health insurance and higher federal authorities require the participation of patients. However, this involvement requires a preceding democratic legitimation.For efficient patient involvement in the German healthcare system, regulatory challenges must be overcome by all involved parties in the healthcare system. The time for implementation has come.

[Collective patient centeredness and patient involvement through self-help groups]

Over the last decades, health-related collective mutual aid, such as self-help groups, support groups and patient organizations, has become an important player in Germany's healthcare system. As autonomous collectives of patients and their relatives in manifold indication areas, they act and organize themselves on a voluntary basis. Increasingly, they have a greater say and are turning into collaborators in the development of the healthcare system. Self-help representatives are involved in committees as patient representatives on all political levels, national as well as federal state and local. In these roles they are also spokespersons for the interests of patients and their relatives.Self-help groups (SHGs) and self-help organizations (SHOs) are forming specific patient collectives that are seeking cooperation with the healthcare system. This article is about different forms and possibilities of inpatient and ambulatory healthcare institutions to achieve collective patient centeredness and patient involvement over and above individual patient centeredness. Furthermore, activities of SHGs and SHOs to promote their integration in healthcare structures are discussed.