Auswirkungen des GMG (GKV-Modernisierungs-Gesetz) auf hausärztliche Verordnungen am Beispiel des akuten Hustens

The role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Germany - a focus group study of GPs

BACKGROUND

There has been a marked increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in recent years worldwide. In Germany, apart from 'Heilpraktiker' (= state-licensed, non-medical CAM practitioners), some general practitioners (GPs) provide CAM in their practices. This paper aims to explore the attitudes of GPs about the role of CAM in Germany, in relation to the healthcare system, quality of care, medical education and research. Furthermore, experiences of GPs integrating CAM in their daily practice were explored.

METHODS

Using a qualitative methodological approach 3 focus groups with a convenience sample of 17 GPs were conducted. The discussions were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The majority of the participating GPs had integrated one or more CAM therapies into their every-day practice. Four key themes were identified based on the topics covered in the focus groups: the role of CAM within the German healthcare system, quality of care, education and research. Within the theme 'role of CAM within the healthcare system' there were five categories: integration of CAM, CAM in the Statutory Health Insurance, modernisation of the Statutory Health Insurance Act, individual healthcare services and 'Heilpraktiker'. Regarding quality of care there were two broad groups of GPs: those who thought patients would benefit from standardizing CAM and those who feared that quality control would interfere with the individual approach of CAM. The main issues identified relating to research and education were the need for the development of alternative research strategies and the low quality of existing CAM education respectively.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the participating GPs considered CAM as a reasonable complementary approach within primary care. The study increased our understanding of GPs attitudes about the role of CAM within the German healthcare system and the use of 'Heilpraktiker' as a competing CAM-provider. It seems to be a need for increased funding for research, better education and remuneration by the Statutory Health Insurance in order to improve access to 'Integrative medicine' in Germany.

Reducing antibiotic prescriptions for acute cough by motivating GPs to change their attitudes to communication and empowering patients: a cluster-randomized intervention study

OBJECTIVES

Assessing the efficacy of an educational intervention that aimed to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in primary care by motivating GPs to change their attitudes to communication and by empowering patients.

METHODS

One hundred and four GPs in North-Rhine/Westphalia-Lippe, Germany were cluster-randomized into intervention and control. GPs randomized to receive the intervention were visited by peers. The intervention strategy was focused on the communication within the encounter, not on sharing knowledge about antibiotic prescribing. Leaflets and posters were provided that aimed at patient empowerment, thus enabling patients to raise the topic of antibiotic prescriptions themselves.

RESULTS

Eighty-six GPs (83%) remained in the study at 6 weeks and 61 GPs (59%) at 12 months. Antibiotic prescription rates within the control group were 54.7% at baseline and 36.4% within the intervention group at baseline. Generalized estimating equation models were applied. Baseline imbalances and confounding variables were controlled by adjustment. After the intervention, the ORs for the prescription of an antibiotic dropped to 0.58 [95% CI: (0.43;0.78), P < 0.001] after 6 weeks and were 0.72 [95% CI: (0.54;0.97), P = 0.028] after 12 months in the intervention group. In the control group, the ORs rose to 1.52 [95% CI: (1.19;1.95), P = 0.001] after 6 weeks and were 1.31 [95% CI: (1.01;1.71), P = 0.044] after 12 months; these ORs correspond to an approximately 60% relative reduction in antibiotic prescription rates at 6 weeks and a persistent 40% relative reduction at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

An interventional strategy that focused on doctor-patient communication and patient empowerment is an effective concept to reduce antibiotic prescriptions in primary care.