scholarly journals Are persons with a limited health literacy less satisfied with the German health care system?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Achstetter ◽  
J Köppen ◽  
M Blümel ◽  
R Busse
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Medical Errors ◽  
Private Health Insurance ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
German Health Care System ◽  
German Health ◽  
Care System

Abstract Background Health literacy (HL) is the ability to find, understand, appraise and apply health information with the aim of using this information to make decisions affecting the own health. Previous studies showed limited HL in around 50% of the German population. The assessment of the German health care system from the perspective of persons with limited HL is subject of this study. Methods In 2018, a survey was conducted among 20,000 persons with private health insurance in Germany. Survey items were based on the intermediate and final goals of the WHO Health Systems Framework. Questions comprised, for example, satisfaction with the health care system, responsiveness (e.g. perceived discrimination), access (e.g. off-hour care), and safety (e.g. medical errors). HL was assessed with the HLS-EU-Q16 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data and group differences. Results Overall, 3,601 participants (18.0%) completed the survey (58.6 years ± 14.6; 64.6% male). Limited HL was seen with 44.6% (8.5% inadequate & 36.1% problematic), whereas 55.4% did not report limited HL (43.4% sufficient & 12.0% excellent). Very satisfied with the German health care system were 6.5% of the persons with limited HL (vs. 14.3%). Perceived discrimination within the last 12 months was reported by 11.0% of the persons with limited HL (vs. 5.1%). To get medical care on weekends, holidays or evenings outside hospitals was rated as “very hard” by 34.6% of the persons with limited HL (vs. 23.6%). The feeling that they experienced medical errors was reported by 18.7% with limited HL (vs. 11.5%) and 5.9% were unsure (vs. 2.2%). All results were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions Persons with limited HL were less satisfied with the overall German health care system in comparison to persons with not limited HL and reported more often perceived discrimination. Strengthening HL could help to improve satisfaction with the health care system. Key messages Limited HL among persons with private health insurance in Germany was found in 44.6% of the survey’s participants. Persons with limited HL indicated to be less satisfied with the German health care system and perceived more often discrimination in their health care.

scholarly journals Utilization, satisfaction and barriers of medical care among adults of Turkish descent in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Dornquast ◽  
S Solak ◽  
M Durak ◽  
L Krist ◽  
K H Jöckel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Self Report ◽  
German Health Care System ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
German Health ◽  
Care System

Abstract Background The growing proportion of people with a migration background poses major challenges for public health and the health care system in Germany. People of Turkish descent represent the largest group within this specific population. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the use and satisfaction of medical services and barriers to health care access among adults of Turkish descent in Germany. Methods A cohort study of a group of nearly 1200 Turkish adults in Berlin and Essen constitutes the basis of this analysis. The baseline examination was carried out as part of the pretests of the German National Cohort study. This follow-up survey assessed utilization, satisfaction and subjectively perceived barriers in the German health care system, as well as socio-demography, lifestyle, health status and quality of life via self-report (paper based or online) in Turkish or German. Descriptive preliminary results are presented in this abstract. Results The first 287 participants interviewed until December 31, 2018 were on average 49 years old, with 64% being female. 90% of the participants had a family doctor and in the last 12 months, 17% were in a hospital for in-patient treatment and 23% in an emergency room. The use of screening programs varied from 15% (skin cancer screening) to 87% (mammography). The most frequently visited physician was the general practitioner (86%). The participants were satisfied regarding many aspects, with the best values for the communication with their doctor. However, 22% reported problems or barriers in the context of medical care in the last five years. Conclusions These preliminary results provide a first insight into the utilization behaviour among adults of Turkish descent, their satisfaction as well as barriers with the German health care system. However, possible consequences of our study should only be discussed after all analyses have been completed. Key messages This is one of the few cohort studies in a migrant population in Germany. Knowledge of barriers could provide indications of problems of adults of Turkish descent in the German health care system.

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