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Consultation hours on the laptop: intelligent ways of outpatient medical care
Photo: Monika Skolimowska / picture alliance / dpa / dpa-Zentralbild
After the experiences in the pandemic, telephone sick leave and medical video consultation hours met with great approval among employees in Germany. According to a study published on Thursday in Hamburg for the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit among their own policyholders, more than 80 percent of employees welcome these instruments and want to use them. A quarter are even generally willing to do so - not just for certain symptoms and illnesses.
During the corona pandemic, a special regulation was introduced in Germany, according to which a doctor can also call a doctor for sick leave in the case of minor respiratory diseases. This should reduce the risk of infection in the practices and relieve them. According to a survey by the DAK, the avoidance of potential infections in particular meets with approval from the insured. For this reason, 81 percent welcome the model. Another important reason for the positive assessment is the potential time savings.
According to the DAK, this fits into the general picture. Earlier studies had already shown that a large part of the doctor's contacts in Germany were solely due to sick leave. Overall, the health insurance company therefore assessed the results of the survey as an indication of potential for improvement. "Today people are more open to new, intelligent ways of outpatient medical care than they were before the pandemic," said DAK CEO Andreas Storm.
"We should learn from the experience of the corona crisis and use it to boost innovation in the health system," he added.
By using digital and telematic possibilities, the scarce resources of the health system could be better concentrated on those who need them most.
Infection protection is also an argument in favor, said Storm.
In this way, particularly vulnerable patients could be protected if people with uncomplicated acute illnesses could receive a sick note via video consultation.
The DAK analysis is based on an evaluation of the data from more than 2.4 million employed insured persons.
In addition, according to the DAK, the results of a representative survey of around 7,000 employees on their experiences and views on telematic supply were included.
mik / AFP
