Alexander Rommel

Inanspruchnahme der ambulanten und stationären medizinischen Versorgung in Deutschland

The article provides representative benchmarks and trends for the use of medical and therapeutic services in Germany on the basis of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) from the years 2008-2011 and 1997/98, respectively. DEGS1 shows that women seek most medical services more often than men. Differences by gender decreased with age. In almost all services, an increase in utilisation is recorded with age. There are large differences in utilisation depending on self-rated health, as opposed to fewer differences by social status, health insurance and region. At both time points, the proportion of the population that utilised outpatient or inpatient medical assistance at least once a year, is almost unchanged high. At the same time, a significant reduction in the annual number of contacts with medical practices and the length of hospital stay was recorded as well as an increase of the consulted specialist groups. This may be explained due to regulation effects of earlier reforms. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.ZusammenfassungDer vorliegende Beitrag liefert auf Basis der Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland (DEGS1) und des Bundes-Gesundheitssurveys (BGS98) aus den Jahren 2008–2011 und 1997/98 repräsentative Eckdaten und Trends zur Inanspruchnahme ärztlicher und therapeutischer Leistungen der 18- bis 79-jährigen Wohnbevölkerung in Deutschland. Die DEGS1-Daten zeigen, dass Frauen viele der einbezogenen medizinischen Leistungen häufiger in Anspruch nahmen als Männer. Mit dem Alter werden die Unterschiede nach Geschlecht geringer. Bei fast allen Leistungen ist mit zunehmendem Alter ein Anstieg der Inanspruchnahme zu verzeichnen. Große Unterschiede in der Inanspruchnahme bestehen in Abhängigkeit von der selbst eingeschätzten Gesundheit, geringere Unterschiede nach Sozialstatus, Krankenversicherung und Region. Zu beiden Erhebungszeitpunkten ist der Anteil der Bevölkerung, der mindestens 1-mal im Jahr ärztliche Hilfe (ambulant oder stationär) in Anspruch nahm, nahezu unverändert hoch. Gleichzeitig sind in diesem Zeitraum ein signifikanter Rückgang der Kontakte zu Arztpraxen pro Jahr und der Krankenhausverweildauer sowie eine Zunahme der konsultierten Facharztgruppen zu verzeichnen. Dies verweist auf Steuerungswirkungen früherer Reformen.AbstractThe article provides representative benchmarks and trends for the use of medical and therapeutic services in Germany on the basis of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) from the years 2008–2011 and 1997/98, respectively. DEGS1 shows that women seek most medical services more often than men. Differences by gender decreased with age. In almost all services, an increase in utilisation is recorded with age. There are large differences in utilisation depending on self-rated health, as opposed to fewer differences by social status, health insurance and region. At both time points, the proportion of the population that utilised outpatient or inpatient medical assistance at least once a year, is almost unchanged high. At the same time, a significant reduction in the annual number of contacts with medical practices and the length of hospital stay was recorded as well as an increase of the consulted specialist groups. This may be explained due to regulation effects of earlier reforms. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

[Utilization of outpatient and inpatient health services in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)].

The article provides representative benchmarks and trends for the use of medical and therapeutic services in Germany on the basis of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) from the years 2008-2011 and 1997/98, respectively. DEGS1 shows that women seek most medical services more often than men. Differences by gender decreased with age. In almost all services, an increase in utilisation is recorded with age. There are large differences in utilisation depending on self-rated health, as opposed to fewer differences by social status, health insurance and region. At both time points, the proportion of the population that utilised outpatient or inpatient medical assistance at least once a year, is almost unchanged high. At the same time, a significant reduction in the annual number of contacts with medical practices and the length of hospital stay was recorded as well as an increase of the consulted specialist groups. This may be explained due to regulation effects of earlier reforms. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.ZusammenfassungDer vorliegende Beitrag liefert auf Basis der Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland (DEGS1) und des Bundes-Gesundheitssurveys (BGS98) aus den Jahren 2008–2011 und 1997/98 repräsentative Eckdaten und Trends zur Inanspruchnahme ärztlicher und therapeutischer Leistungen der 18- bis 79-jährigen Wohnbevölkerung in Deutschland. Die DEGS1-Daten zeigen, dass Frauen viele der einbezogenen medizinischen Leistungen häufiger in Anspruch nahmen als Männer. Mit dem Alter werden die Unterschiede nach Geschlecht geringer. Bei fast allen Leistungen ist mit zunehmendem Alter ein Anstieg der Inanspruchnahme zu verzeichnen. Große Unterschiede in der Inanspruchnahme bestehen in Abhängigkeit von der selbst eingeschätzten Gesundheit, geringere Unterschiede nach Sozialstatus, Krankenversicherung und Region. Zu beiden Erhebungszeitpunkten ist der Anteil der Bevölkerung, der mindestens 1-mal im Jahr ärztliche Hilfe (ambulant oder stationär) in Anspruch nahm, nahezu unverändert hoch. Gleichzeitig sind in diesem Zeitraum ein signifikanter Rückgang der Kontakte zu Arztpraxen pro Jahr und der Krankenhausverweildauer sowie eine Zunahme der konsultierten Facharztgruppen zu verzeichnen. Dies verweist auf Steuerungswirkungen früherer Reformen.AbstractThe article provides representative benchmarks and trends for the use of medical and therapeutic services in Germany on the basis of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) and the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) from the years 2008–2011 and 1997/98, respectively. DEGS1 shows that women seek most medical services more often than men. Differences by gender decreased with age. In almost all services, an increase in utilisation is recorded with age. There are large differences in utilisation depending on self-rated health, as opposed to fewer differences by social status, health insurance and region. At both time points, the proportion of the population that utilised outpatient or inpatient medical assistance at least once a year, is almost unchanged high. At the same time, a significant reduction in the annual number of contacts with medical practices and the length of hospital stay was recorded as well as an increase of the consulted specialist groups. This may be explained due to regulation effects of earlier reforms. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

Occupational Injuries in Germany: Population-Wide National Survey Data Emphasize the Importance of Work-Related Factors

Unintentional injuries cause much of the global mortality burden, with the workplace being a common accident setting. Even in high-income economies, occupational injury figures remain remarkably high. Because risk factors for occupational injuries are prone to confounding, the present research takes a comprehensive approach. To better understand the occurrence of occupational injuries, sociodemographic factors and work- and health-related factors are tested simultaneously. Thus, the present analysis aims to develop a comprehensive epidemiological model that facilitates the explanation of varying injury rates in the workplace. The representative phone survey German Health Update 2010 provides information on medically treated occupational injuries sustained in the year prior to the interview. Data were collected on sociodemographics, occupation, working conditions, health-related behaviors, and chronic diseases. For the economically active population (18–70 years, n = 14,041), the 12-month prevalence of occupational injuries was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Blockwise multiple logistic regression was applied to successively include different groups of variables. Overall, 2.8% (95% CI 2.4–3.2) of the gainfully employed population report at least one occupational injury (women: 0.9%; 95% CI 0.7–1.2; men: 4.3%; 95% CI 3.7–5.0). In the fully adjusted model, male gender (OR 3.16) and age 18–29 (OR 1.54), as well as agricultural (OR 5.40), technical (OR 3.41), skilled service (OR 4.24) or manual (OR 5.12), and unskilled service (OR 3.13) or manual (OR 4.97) occupations are associated with higher chances of occupational injuries. The same holds for frequent stressors such as heavy carrying (OR 1.78), working in awkward postures (OR 1.46), environmental stress (OR 1.48), and working under pressure (OR 1.41). Among health-related variables, physical inactivity (OR 1.47) and obesity (OR 1.73) present a significantly higher chance of occupational injuries. While the odds for most work-related factors were as expected, the associations for health-related factors such as smoking, drinking, and chronic diseases were rather weak. In part, this may be due to context-specific factors such as safety and workplace regulations in high-income countries like Germany. This assumption could guide further research, taking a multi-level approach to international comparisons.

Beteiligung von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund an Gesundheitssurveys des Robert Koch-Instituts

People with migration background (PMB) make up a huge section of the population with specific health chances and risks. There are only limited data available on the health situation of PMB, since inclusion of PMB in surveys is hindered, e.g. due to language barriers. The present study has examined to what extent the population-based health surveys of the Robert Koch Institute have managed to include a representative extent of PMB, with the aim of deriving recommendations for analysis options and future recruitment strategies. The 2009 microcensus (MC) of the Federal Statistical Office was used as the basis to check whether the sample of KiGGS Wave 1 (2009-2012) and DEGS 1 (2008-2011) are representative regarding socio-demographic and migrant-specific characteristics. 1107 PMB participated in DEGS 1. In comparison to the MC, particular sub-groups are underrepresented in the sample: people who immigrated themselves (first-generation migrants), people with a low education and Turkish citizens. On the other hand, some age groups are overrepresented. In KiGGS Wave 1, 2021 children and adolescents with a migration background participated. Response was lower if parents had a low education. In total, the participation of children and adolescents with a migration background was lower in comparison to the KiGGS baseline survey. The data on PMB in DEGS 1 and KiGGS Wave 1 are appropriate for health analyses of this population group. However, analyses should be stratified according to characteristics like migrant generation, age or education level, or these characteristics should be adjusted for in statistical models. In order to achieve a representative inclusion of people with a migration background, in future surveys sub-group-specific activities to increase participation of PMB are recommended.

Socioeconomic Status and Use of Outpatient Medical Care: The Case of Germany.

Background Socially disadvantaged people have an increased need for medical care due to a higher burden of health problems and chronic diseases. In Germany, outpatient care is chiefly provided by office-based general practitioners and specialists in private practice. People are free to choose the physician they prefer. In this study, national data were used to examine differences in the use of outpatient medical care by socioeconomic status (SES). Methods The analyses were based on data from 6,754 participants in the Robert Koch Institute’s German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) aged between 18 and 69 years. The number of outpatient physician visits during the past twelve months was assessed for several medical specializations. SES was determined based on education, occupation, and income. Associations between SES and physician visits were analysed using logistic regression and zero-truncated negative binomial regression for count data. Results After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and health indicators, outpatients with low SES had more contacts with general practitioners than outpatients with high SES (men: incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08–1.46; women: IRR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.07–1.34). The use of specialists was lower in people with low SES than in those with high SES when sociodemographic factors and health indicators were adjusted for (men: odds ratio [OR] = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.51–0.91; women: OR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.41–0.77). This applied particularly to specialists in internal medicine, dermatology, and gynaecology. The associations remained after additional adjustment for the type of health insurance and the regional density of office-based physicians. Conclusion The findings suggest that socially disadvantaged people are seen by general practitioners more often than the socially better-off, who are more likely to visit a medical specialist. These differences may be due to differences in patient preferences, physician factors, physician-patient interaction, and potential barriers to accessing specialist care.

Die gesundheitliche Lage von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund und die Bedeutung des sozioökonomischen Status

People with a migrant background (PMB) have specific health-related risk factors and resources compared to the non-migrant population (NMP). The analysis focuses on the relationship between migrant background and health and health-related behavior. Moreover, the study analyses whether socio-economic status (SES) contributes to the explanation of differences between PMB and the NMP. The research is based on the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) (2008-2012, n = 8151). The population for cross-sectional analyses contains 1107 PMB (weighted 19.8 %). The research question is addressed on the basis of nine exemplary health outcomes. All analyses are gender specific and make a distinction between first and second generation PMB. Logistic regression is calculated adjusting for age and SES. The results reveal clear gender-specific patterns: For women, differences are statistically significant mainly for first generation PMB. Compared to the NMP their self-assessed health status is lower, they are less physically active, consume less alcohol, feel less informed about cancer screening programs and make less use of preventive health services. However, daily smoking is more prevalent in second generation women. For men, differences are statistically significant for first and second generation PMB. Men with a migrant background show more symptoms of depression, consume less alcohol and feel less informed about cancer screening programs. After adjusting for SES the impact of migrant background on health status and health-related behavior largely remains stable. The study shows that the DEGS1 data offers valuable results and new insights into the health status of people with a migrant background. The use of this data for further research requires a differentiated approach to the concept of migrant background and a careful interpretation of results.

Stürze in deutschen Krankenhäusern und Pflegeheimen 2006–2013

BACKGROUND In Germany, a nationwide systematic collection of data regarding fall incidents within health-care facilities is lacking. The objective of the study was to provide valid and robust data on fall rates, the severity of the fall and its resulting injuries, fall risk assessment, and preventive measures offered by professional caregivers in German hospitals and nursing homes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each spring from 2006 to 2013, cross-sectional studies were conducted in 124 hospitals (n = 22,493 patients) and 332 nursing homes (25,384 residents) throughout Germany. Fully trained nurses obtained information on the recent history (< 14 days) of the fall and its consequences. Further, they assessed the individual fall risk by clinical judgment and recorded ongoing preventive measures. RESULTS The total fall rate was 3.9 % (95 % CI 3.6-4.2) in the hospitals and 4.6 % (95 % CI 4.3-4.9) in the nursing homes. Of the fall victims, 6.4 % of the nursing home residents and 8.8 % of the hospital patients were badly injured (i.e., fracture). The fall risk was considered high for residents, with two thirds of all residents being affected, while it was lower for the patients, at one third. The following factors were associated with fall risk: limited mobility, cognitive impairment, recent history of falls for nursing home residents, and additionally urinary incontinence and higher age in hospital patients. The most common preventive measure was counseling of the individual in both settings. CONCLUSION Although most falls have no severe consequences, the study shows that every 20-25th individual has a falling event in hospitals and nursing homes within 14 days. Despite the slight variance, the trend of the rates remains largely stable. Because specific fall risks were determined, preventive measures can be applied in a more personalized manner and care can be improved. Finally, the study provides valid and durable figures for national and international comparisons.

Falls in German hospitals and nursing homes 2006-2013 : Frequencies, injuries, risk assessment, and preventive measures

BACKGROUND In Germany, a nationwide systematic collection of data regarding fall incidents within health-care facilities is lacking. The objective of the study was to provide valid and robust data on fall rates, the severity of the fall and its resulting injuries, fall risk assessment, and preventive measures offered by professional caregivers in German hospitals and nursing homes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each spring from 2006 to 2013, cross-sectional studies were conducted in 124 hospitals (n = 22,493 patients) and 332 nursing homes (25,384 residents) throughout Germany. Fully trained nurses obtained information on the recent history (< 14 days) of the fall and its consequences. Further, they assessed the individual fall risk by clinical judgment and recorded ongoing preventive measures. RESULTS The total fall rate was 3.9 % (95 % CI 3.6-4.2) in the hospitals and 4.6 % (95 % CI 4.3-4.9) in the nursing homes. Of the fall victims, 6.4 % of the nursing home residents and 8.8 % of the hospital patients were badly injured (i.e., fracture). The fall risk was considered high for residents, with two thirds of all residents being affected, while it was lower for the patients, at one third. The following factors were associated with fall risk: limited mobility, cognitive impairment, recent history of falls for nursing home residents, and additionally urinary incontinence and higher age in hospital patients. The most common preventive measure was counseling of the individual in both settings. CONCLUSION Although most falls have no severe consequences, the study shows that every 20-25th individual has a falling event in hospitals and nursing homes within 14 days. Despite the slight variance, the trend of the rates remains largely stable. Because specific fall risks were determined, preventive measures can be applied in a more personalized manner and care can be improved. Finally, the study provides valid and durable figures for national and international comparisons.

Individual and Regional Determinants for Physical Therapy Utilization in Germany: Multilevel Analysis of National Survey Data

Background Physical therapy is included in many clinical guidelines and is a commonly used health service. However, access to its benefits should not strongly depend on social or demographic factors. Objective The present study used the Andersen model to explain to what extent physical therapy utilization in Germany depends on factors beyond medical need. Methods The German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS, 2008-2011; target population, 18-79 years) is part of the German health-monitoring system. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling resulted in a sample of 8152 participants. Data were matched with district-related information on social structures and service supply. Following Andersens Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, this study identified predisposing, enabling, and need factors for physical therapy utilization using multilevel logistic regression analyses. Results Physical therapy was used by 23.4% (95% CI: 22.0-24.8) of the German population within one year, with a higher proportion of females (26.8%; 95% CI: 25.1-28.6) than males (19.9%; 95% CI: 18.1-21.8) and an increase with age. Beyond medical need, physical therapy utilization depended on higher education, migrant background, nonsmoking (predisposing), social support, higher income, private health insurance, and gatekeeping service contact (enabling). Variation among districts partly reflected regional supply. Limitations Because the present study was cross-sectional, its findings provide representative information on physical therapy use but do not establish final causal links or identify whether utilization or supply in certain districts or population groups is adequate. Conclusions Whether certain regions are under- or overserved and whether further regulations are needed is of political interest. Physicians and therapists should develop strategies to improve both adherence of hard-to-reach groups and supply in low-supply regions.

Unintentional injuries in childhood and adolescence: current prevalence, determinants, and trends : Results of the KiGGS study: first follow-up (KiGGS Wave 1)

BACKGROUND In Germany and worldwide, unintentional injuries (UI) are a major health threat for children and adolescents. The first follow-up of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Wave 1, 2009-2012) continued the national UI monitoring that started with the KiGGS baseline study (2003-2006). The present analysis provides updated information and for the first time gives indications on time trends. METHODS KiGGS Wave 1 is a combined nationwide cross-sectional and longitudinal survey by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) providing information about 12,368 participating children and adolescents (0-17 years old; response rates: 38.8% first time invited, 72.9% reinvited). Parents were asked about their childrens UI and poisonings via telephone interviews. Information on UI is available for 11,665 children and adolescents (1-17 years old). The 12-month prevalence rate and 95% confidence interval were calculated, and KiGGS Wave 1 was compared with the KiGGS baseline study. The Rao-Scott chi-square test corrected over the F distribution was used to test for the statistical significance of subgroup differences and trend effects. RESULTS Within the previous 12 months, 15.5% of all children and adolescents aged 1-17 years were medically treated for UI. UI were significantly more prevalent among boys (17.0%) than among girls (14.0%), and 3.4% of the subjects had more than one accident leading to UI. One in eight children and adolescents who suffered UI stayed in hospital (12.3%) for inpatient treatment for at least one night. The home, childcare and educational institutions, and sports facilities/playgrounds were the predominant accident locations. Compared to the baseline study, neither the overall prevalence of UI nor the gender- and age-specific patterns changed significantly. CONCLUSION Since a large proportion of UI is avoidable, knowledge of high-risk subgroups and accident locations is of particular use for prevention. KiGGS Wave 1 makes an important contribution to the comprehension of these issues. The transfer of research into practice is of particular importance for the avoidance of UI.