[Unmet health care needs of younger and older people in socially deprived regions: A qualitative interview study in the Ruhr area]. / Unerfüllte Behandlungswünsche jüngerer und älterer Menschen in sozial deprivierten Räumen: eine qualitative Interviewstudie im Ruhrgebiet.

INTRODUCTION: Unmet health care needs are considered a key indicator of equity in access to health care. For younger people, they can lead to poorer health outcomes in adulthood, for older people, they are associated with an increased risk of mortality. Unmet needs were therefore investigated as part of a research project on "Improving the health-related life situation of young and old people in the Ruhr area." METHOD: Unmet health care needs were surveyed with the help of semi-structured guideline interviews with younger and older people in the Ruhr area (n=29). Due to the spatial and social structure of the study region, the aim was to recruit especially people with a low subjective social status (SSS) for the study. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to a qualitative content analysis and a supplementary frequency analysis. The reporting is based on the Standards for Qualitative Research (SRQR). RESULTS: The respondents reported deficiencies in treatment and doctor-patient communication with GPs and specialists. The feeling of not being taken seriously due to age is cited several times by both age groups as a reason for unmet health care needs. Waiting times are particularly relevant in the case of specialist consultations, while co-payments for services mainly play a role in dentistry and orthodontics. Unmet needs are primarily reported by people with a medium SSS. Overall, almost two thirds of the respondents stated that they have or have had at least one unmet need. Participants with a low SSS report fewer unmet needs and do not mention any financial aspects as a cause. Explanations for this range from lower health literacy to the fear of being discredited. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide indications of deficits in regional health care provision for younger and older people in the Ruhr region. Corresponding fields of action result from the areas of care and reasons identified as relevant for unmet health care needs. The reported findings also provide a basis for differentiated quantitative surveys with representative samples.

Model-Based Economic Evaluations of Interventions for Dementia: An Updated Systematic Review and Quality Assessment.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia. The most recent systematic review of economic evaluations for dementia highlighted weaknesses in studies, including lack of justification for model assumptions and data inputs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to update the last published systematic review of model-based economic evaluations of interventions for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, with a focus on any methodological improvements and quality assessment of the studies. METHODS: Systematic searches in eight databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit, international HTA database, and the Tufts Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry were undertaken from February 2018 until August 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Philips checklist and the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) 2022 checklist. The findings were summarized through narrative analysis. RESULTS: This review included 23 studies, comprising cost-utility analyses (87%), cost-benefit analyses (9%) and cost-effectiveness analyses (4%). The studies covered various interventions, including pharmacological (n = 10, 43%), non-pharmacological (n = 4, 17%), prevention (n = 4, 17%), diagnostic (n = 4, 17%) and integrated (n = 1, 4%) [diagnostics-pharmacologic] strategies. Markov transition models were commonly employed (65%), followed by decision trees (13%) and discrete-event simulation (9%). Several interventions from all categories were reported as being cost effective. The quality of reporting was suboptimal for the Methods and Results sections in almost all studies, although the majority of studies adequately addressed the decision problem, scope, and model-type selection in their economic evaluations. Regarding the quality of methodology, only a minority of studies addressed competing theories or clearly explained the rationale for model structure. Furthermore, few studies systematically identified key parameters or assessed data quality, and uncertainty was mostly addressed partially. CONCLUSIONS: This review informs future research and resource allocation by providing insights into model-based economic evaluations for dementia interventions and highlighting areas for improvement.

[Redirection of patients from the emergency department to ambulatory care: a feasibility study]. / Steuerung von Patient*innen aus Notaufnahmen in die vertragsärztliche Versorgung: Eine Machbarkeitsstudie.

BACKGROUND: § 120 para. 3b SGB V mandates the Federal Joint Committee to define guidelines for the initial assessment of self-referred walk-in patients as well as for the redirection of patients who can be treated by office-based physicians. A corresponding streaming and redirection process was tested in a feasibility study at the RoMed Clinic Rosenheim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the duration of the study, triage nurses of the emergency department (ED) first assessed self-referred walk-in patients with the Manchester Triage System (MTS). Patients in categories green and blue who did not obviously need the ED's resources were additionally assessed by health professionals of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Bavaria using the software Structured Initial Medical Assessment in Germany (SmED). Patients with a recommendation for non-hospital medical treatment were streamed to the out-of-hours practice on campus or were redirected to a physician office after video consultation with an office-based physician. Patient pathways were documented and a qualitative survey using semistructured guided interviews of all stakeholder groups was carried out. RESULTS: 1,091 self-referred walk-in patients were included. Direct streaming to the ED occurred in 525 cases,13 refused to participate. Based on SmED, 24 additional patients were referred to the ED, 514 patients were streamed to the out-of-hours practice, 23 received a video consultation and five left the ED. After video consultation, eight patients were redirected to a physician's office, 10 were discharged, and five referred to the ED of which one did not want an office-based physician. No returnees from practices to the ED were identified. Generally, the redirection process was evaluated positively in the interviews (n=18). In particular, potential for technical improvement was identified. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results indicate the feasibility of the redirection process and high acceptance levels. Using SmED in addition to MTS appeared useful before redirection but not necessary for streaming on campus. Redirection to physician offices can help reduce strain on the ED when the out-of-hours practice is not operating. In addition to arranging acute care appointments, video consultations offer an additional potential to treat patients. In a follow-up study, a broader range of patients should be included and appropriateness of redirection decisions should be evaluated.

[Working Time of Physicians in Germany: Results of the Micro-Census with a Focus on Established Practitioners]. / Arbeitszeit von Ärztinnen und Ärzten in Deutschland: Ergebnisse des Mikrozensus mit Fokus auf Niedergelassene.

Medical practitioners are considered to be an occupational group with a high workload. However, findings on working hours are incomplete. Therefore, we investigated data on "normal" working hours and corresponding preferences in the course of an analysis of the Microcensus 2017. Established physicians reported an average working time of 48,8 h per week for full-time employment, 46,2 h as dependent employees. Dependent employees working part-time, reported about 4 h more than established doctors. Male doctors reported about 4 h more than female doctors when working full-time, and 5 h less when working part-time. The proportion of part-time work was significantly higher for female physicians than for male physicians (28% vs. 10%). The specific analysis for established doctors also showed an inverse discrepancy: if part-time, female physicians worked 4 h more than male physicians; if full-time, male physicians worked 4 h more than female physicians. Established doctors worked less than employees when working part-time. Here, too, the rate was higher for female physicians (19,5% vs. 10,6%). Overall, 14% worked part-time (just under 20 h per week), 86% full-time (just under 49 h). Dentists reported slightly lower working hours, while general practitioners and specialists were about the same at 45 hours. This difference was due to differences in full-time work, which is about 50 h for general practitioners and specialists and 46 h for dentists. In contrast, part-time dentists worked longer hours (24 vs. 18 h). Only a few physicians, especially those working part-time (6,5%), stated that they would like to work more. Most of them would like to work slightly more hours. The majority of women cited family obligations (68%) as the reason for part-time work, while men mostly cited "other" reasons (76%) and less often childcare or personal/family obligations (15%). A total of 13% of those working full-time would like to work fewer hours, women slightly more often. This analysis complements sources such as the Zi Practice Panel. At the overall level, the microcensus average was 5 h lower than the ZiPP (50 h/week). The limitations for survey data known from methodology are countered by the very high sample quality.

Referring physicians' intention to use hospital report cards for hospital referral purposes in the presence or absence of patient-reported outcomes: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the intention to use hospital report cards (HRCs) for hospital referral purposes in the presence or absence of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as well as to explore the relevance of publicly available hospital performance information from the perspective of referring physicians. METHODS: We identified the most relevant information for hospital referral purposes based on a literature review and qualitative research. Primary survey data were collected (May-June 2021) on a sample of 591 referring orthopedists in Germany and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Participating orthopedists were recruited using a sequential mixed-mode strategy and randomly allocated to work with HRCs in the presence (intervention) or absence (control) of PROs. RESULTS: Overall, 420 orthopedists (mean age 53.48, SD 8.04) were included in the analysis. The presence of PROs on HRCs was not associated with an increased intention to use HRCs (p = 0.316). Performance expectancy was shown to be the most important determinant for using HRCs (path coefficient: 0.387, p < .001). However, referring physicians have doubts as to whether HRCs can help them. We identified "complication rate" and "the number of cases treated" as most important for the hospital referral decision making; PROs were rated slightly less important. CONCLUSIONS: This study underpins the purpose of HRCs, namely to support referring physicians in searching for a hospital. Nevertheless, only a minority would support the use of HRCs for the next hospital search in its current form. We showed that presenting relevant information on HRCs did not increase their use intention.

The elicitation of patient and physician preferences for calculating consumer-based composite measures on hospital report cards: results of two discrete choice experiments.

PURPOSE: The calculation of aggregated composite measures is a widely used strategy to reduce the amount of data on hospital report cards. Therefore, this study aims to elicit and compare preferences of both patients as well as referring physicians regarding publicly available hospital quality information METHODS: Based on systematic literature reviews as well as qualitative analysis, two discrete choice experiments (DCEs) were applied to elicit patients' and referring physicians' preferences. The DCEs were conducted using a fractional factorial design. Statistical data analysis was performed using multinomial logit models RESULTS: Apart from five identical attributes, one specific attribute was identified for each study group, respectively. Overall, 322 patients (mean age 68.99) and 187 referring physicians (mean age 53.60) were included. Our models displayed significant coefficients for all attributes (p < 0.001 each). Among patients, "Postoperative complication rate" (20.6%; level range of 1.164) was rated highest, followed by "Mobility at hospital discharge" (19.9%; level range of 1.127), and ''The number of cases treated" (18.5%; level range of 1.045). In contrast, referring physicians valued most the ''One-year revision surgery rate'' (30.4%; level range of 1.989), followed by "The number of cases treated" (21.0%; level range of 1.372), and "Postoperative complication rate" (17.2%; level range of 1.123) CONCLUSION: We determined considerable differences between both study groups when calculating the relative value of publicly available hospital quality information. This may have an impact when calculating aggregated composite measures based on consumer-based weighting.

How to further develop quality competition in the German healthcare system? Results of a Delphi expert study.

INTRODUCTION: Many international healthcare systems use quality competition to improve the quality of care. The corresponding instruments include quality measurement, public reporting, selective contracting, and pay for performance. The German healthcare system clearly shows that the possibilities are often limited in the status quo. Therefore, a need for practicable and evidence-based proposals are necessary to further the development of quality competition. METHODS: We conducted a national analysis and an international comparison (Switzerland, Netherlands and USA) as a pre-study to derive recommendations. On this basis, we designed a Delphi study with a consensus objective. Experts from relevant stakeholder groups in the German healthcare system were selected using purposive sampling for this study. RESULTS: The experts saw potential for quality improvement in the further development of quality competition. Quality measurement and public reporting were rated as empowering tools. There was mostly disagreement on whether quality competition should be further developed in a more regulatory or entrepreneur-based manner. However, there was a clear consensus that further development must be coordinated between the stakeholders, step-by-step and scientifically supported. In addition, the impulse should be supported by a legislatively introduced reform. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, these empirically based recommendations highlight the need for a coordinated coexistence of a top-down and a bottom-up approach. The developed blueprint proposal serves as an impetus for practical considerations of implementation.

[The presumed consent legislation - A success factor or a disruptive factor for tissue donation? A qualitative study based on multidisciplinary interviews with experts]. / Die Widerspruchslösung ­ Erfolgs- oder Störfaktor für die Gewebespende? Eine qualitative Studie auf Basis multidisziplinärer Expert*inneninterviews.

INTRODUCTION: Tissue transplantation can improve the quality of life of patients in a very wide range of applications. In 2021, around 900 people in Germany agreed to donate organs after death - the number of tissue donors was significantly higher. Nevertheless, there is a shortage of organs and tissues in Germany. In order to counteract this, the introduction of a presumed consent legislation has been discussed time and again. However, the debates focused on possible positive effects for organ donation, whereas potential consequences for tissue donation have so far not been considered in the political discourse or in research. Using an exploratory approach, this paper aims to contribute to closing this research gap: Multidisciplinary interviews with experts were conducted to investigate whether the presumed consent legislation is a key success factor for increasing the number of tissue donors in Germany and which other approaches might be promising. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with 14 experts who worked as employees in different positions in tissue banks/networks, ophthalmologists performing corneal transplantation, medical ethicists, lawyers or scientists. These interviews were evaluated using the structuring content analysis according to Mayring. In reporting, we followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SQRQ). RESULTS: The majority of experts did not consider presumed consent legislation to be a key factor in increasing the donation rate in Germany. Instead, an improvement of processes and structures in tissue donation was cited as the most important optimization potential. Furthermore, communication measures were postulated to create transparency about the characteristics of tissue donation as distinct from organ donation. These should address not only the general population, but also the professional groups involved in the tissue donation process. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the presumed consent legislation is not a success factor for increasing the number of tissue donors in Germany. It would be far more effective to improve structures and processes in order to identify the large number of potential tissue donors and to be able to conduct informed conversations with their relatives. Information measures for the general public and professionals, which clearly differentiate between tissue donation and organ donation, are also more promising than fruitless debates about the introduction of the presumed consent legislation.

Preferences of People Living with HIV for Long-Acting Antiretroviral Treatment in Germany: Evidence from a Discrete Choice Experiment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elicit preferences for attributes of current and novel long-acting antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus treatment. METHODS: Primary survey data were collected (July-October 2022) on a sample of 333 people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Germany from a patient recruitment agency. Respondents were invited by e-mail to respond to a web-based questionnaire. After performing a systematic literature review, we conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews to identify and select the key attributes of drug therapy for patients' preferences for human immunodeficiency virus treatment. Based on this, a discrete choice experiment survey elicited preferences for long-acting antiretroviral therapy characteristics, including the type of medication, frequency of dosing, the location of treatment, the risk of both short-term and long-term side effects, as well as possible interactions with other medications or (party) drugs. A statistical data analysis was performed using multinomial logit models. An additional latent class multinomial logit was performed to evaluate subgroup differences. RESULTS: Overall, 226 respondents (86% male, mean age 46.1 years) were included in the analysis. The frequency of dosing (36.1%) and the risk of long-term side effects (28.2%) had the greatest influence on preferences. The latent class analysis identified two patient groups. While the first class (n = 135; 87% male, mean age 44.4 years) found the frequency of dosing (44.1%) to be most important, the second class (n = 91; 85% male, mean age 48.6 years) focused on the risk of long-term side effects (50.3%). The evaluation of structural variables showed that male respondents, those living in small cities or villages, and those with better health status results were significantly more likely to be assigned to the second class (p < 0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: All attributes included in our survey were important to participants when choosing an antiretroviral therapy. We found evidence that the frequency of dosing as well as the risk of long-term side effects have a particular impact on the acceptance of novel therapy regimens and should be considered in order to optimize adherence and satisfaction.

Digital health applications in the self-management of epilepsy-A survey on patients' perspective.

OBJECTIVE: Digital health applications can be prescribed since 2019 in Germany, which is likely to facilitate a broad use of epilepsy self-management applications, possibly directly connected to clinical systems via telematics infrastructures. This article reports on patients' interest in digital support for epilepsy self-management, influencing factors and patients' knowledge about digitization of health care in Germany. METHODS: This work is based on self-reported data from 115 people with epilepsy participating in an anonymous online survey with a total of 54 questions covering several topics, including sociodemographics and epilepsy manifestation, use of technology in general and for treatment support, training programs, affinity for technology, knowledge on the digital infrastructure in Germany, and self-efficacy in dealing with chronic illness. The self-constructed questionnaire uses existing instruments like TA-EG, SES6G, and Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik sociodemographic questionnaire. To analyze the knowledge about digitalization in health care, a combination of self-assessment and knowledge quiz was used. The analysis was performed using descriptive methods and inferential statistics (t-test, reliability analysis, and correlations). RESULTS: Participants were most interested in seizure alerting and documentation with the possibility to share documentation with physicians. The analysis of technology affinity showed medium enthusiasm, with positively perceived consequences being rated higher than the negatively perceived consequences of technology use. Knowledge on national health infrastructures was mediocre and training on this was judged to be essential and desired. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between interest in use and affinity for technology (enthusiasm for technology [r = 0.29; P = 0.00]) and positively perceived consequences of technology (r = 0.33; P = 0.00). SIGNIFICANCE: Our results underline the high relevance of digital solutions for patients and the importance of individual training opportunities in digital health literacy, thereby enabling patients to decide competently for or against offered digital solutions.

[Terra incognita of tissue donation: A systematic literature review analyzing institutional factors influencing the willingness to donate tissue]. / Terra incognita Gewebespende: Ein systematischer Literaturreview zur Analyse institutioneller Einflussfaktoren auf die Bereitschaft zur Gewebespende.

INTRODUCTION: Partly because of a lack of governmental commitment in educational work, tissue donation is largely unknown in the German population, although it has an increasing relevance for patient care. Due to the progress in research, the shortage of donor tissues in Germany is constantly increasing and has to be compensated by imports. In contrast, nations such as the USA are self-sufficient in donor tissue and can even export it. Since not only individual but also institutional factors (e.g., legal framework, allocation principles and the organization of tissue donation) can lead to these national differences in donor rates, the present systematic literature review will investigate how these factors influence the willingness to donate tissue. METHODS: Relevant publications were systematically searched in seven databases. The search command consisted of English and German terms for the two search components "tissue donation" and "health care system". Papers published in English or German between 2004 and May 2021 and focusing on the analysis of institutional factors influencing the willingness to donate tissue post-mortem for transplantation were included (inclusion criteria); studies on blood and organ and living donation as well as publications not dealing with institutional factors influencing the willingness to donate tissue were excluded (exclusion criteria). In reporting, we followed the PRISMA 2020 statement. RESULTS: Of 1,398 hits, seven were finally included after screening. Many of the remaining studies focused on organ donation or non-institutional aspects of tissue donation. Only two studies considered the central population perspective. Furthermore, five publications originate from an Australian research group and focus on the international allocation of tissues. The results highlight the inadequate state of research and at the same time suggest that both tissue bank organization and allocation principles may influence the willingness to donate tissue. At the same time, the publications indicate that tissue donors are often not informed about a potential commercial use or an international allocation of tissues, which represents an ethical-legal conflict. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that institutional factors may influence people's willingness to donate. In particular, the lack of societal awareness of the issue results in various areas of tension for which recommendations for action have been developed. In order to prevent a slump in tissue donations because of socially unacceptable practices, further population-based studies should explore the institutional framework conditions that society demands for tissue donation.

[Income of physicians in private practice in Germany: Results of a micro census]. / Einkommen von niedergelassenen Ärztinnen und Ärzten in Deutschland: Ergebnisse des Mikrozensus.

EINLEITUNG: Daten zum Einkommen von Ärzt:innen in Deutschland sind bisher nur teilweise verfügbar. Die Einkommen der niedergelassenen Ärzteschaft werden vor allem aus den Praxiserträgen abgeleitet, was aber große Interpretationsspielräume eröffnet. Ziel des Artikels ist es, diese Lücke zu schließen. METHODIK: Hierfür werden die Einkommensangaben aus dem Mikrozensus 2017 ausgewertet - mit besonderem Fokus auf niedergelassene Ärzt:innen. Neben dem persönlichen Einkommen erfolgt eine Darstellung der Einkommenssituation auf Haushaltsebene. Die Einkommensziffern werden nach Tätigkeitsumfang, Tätigkeitsgruppe (Allgemein-/Fach-/Zahnärzte), Geschlecht und Stadt/Land differenziert. ERGEBNISSE UND SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Das verfügbare persönliche Nettoeinkommen niedergelassener Ärzt:innen beträgt bei Vollzeittätigkeit im Mittel knapp 7.900 € pro Monat. Fachärzt:innen liegen bei 8.250 €, Allgemein- und Zahnärzt:innen bei ca. 7.700 €. Eine finanzielle Benachteiligung von Landärzt:innen lässt sich nicht feststellen, Allgemeinärzt:innen aus Gemeinden<5.000 Einwohnerinnen und Einwohner haben mit 8.700 € sogar das höchste Durchschnittseinkommen - bei einer mittleren Arbeitszeit von 51 Stunden pro Woche. Ärztinnen arbeiten häufiger in Teilzeit als Ärzte. Ein niedrigeres Einkommen resultiert überwiegend aus einem geringeren Tätigkeitsumfang. INTRODUCTION: Data on the income of physicians in Germany are only partially available to date. The income of physicians in private practice is derived primarily from practice income, but this opens up considerable scope for interpretation. The aim of this article is to close this gap. METHODOLOGY: For this purpose, the income data from the 2017 micro census were evaluated, with a special focus on physicians in private practice. In addition to personal income, the income situation was presented at the household level. The income figures were differentiated according to the scope of activity, activity group (general practitioners/specialists/dentists), gender and city/country. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The disposable personal income of physicians in private practice was just under € 7,900 per month on average for full-time employment. Specialists earned € 8,250, while general practitioners and dentists earned about € 7,700. Rural physicians were not found to suffer from financial disadvantages; general practitioners from municipalities with<5,000 inhabitants even had the highest average income of € 8,700, with an average working time of 51 hours per week. Female physicians worked part-time more often than did male physicians. A lower income resulted primarily from a lower scope of activity.

The use intention of hospital report cards among patients in the presence or absence of patient-reported outcomes.

BACKGROUND: So far, the adoption of hospital report cards (HRCs) falls short of expectations. One promising strategy is to modify the content of HRCs by presenting patient-reported outcomes (PROs). OBJECTIVE: To identify the key determinants influencing patients to use HRCs for hospital decision making and determine the effect of presenting PROs on HRCs on their use intention. METHODS: Primary survey data were collected (5/6-2021) on a sample of 2000 randomly selected insurees from a German statutory health insurance who have undergone elective hip arthroplasty surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 447 participants (mean age 66.56) completed the survey and were included in the analysis. Respondents rated "PROs" as most important for the hospital choice followed by "Mobility at hospital discharge" and "Confirmed diagnosis rate". Patients generally perceive HRCs to be a good idea that makes searching for a hospital more interesting. We identified attitude and social influence as the most important determinants for using HRCs (p<.001 each). The presence of PROs on HRCs was not associated with an increased intention to use HRCs neither in our descriptive analysis (p=.593), nor in our research model (p=.763). CONCLUSIONS: Patients value PROs to be an important information for choosing a hospital. Nevertheless, health policy makers should note that presenting PROs on HRCs as a single approach is not likely to increase the use of HRCs.

[Heidelberg Milestones Communication (HeiMeKOM) - Experiences, Best Practice Examples and Recommendations from the Final Symposium on January 30 and 31 in 2020]. / Heidelberger Meilenstein Kommunikation (HeiMeKOM) ­ Erfahrungen, Best Practice Beispiele und Empfehlungen aus dem Abschluss-Symposium am 30./31. Januar 2020.

The National Cancer Plan emphasises the importance of medical communication and calls for its integration into medical education and training. In this context, the Milestone Communication Approach meets the communicative challenges in dealing with lung cancer patients. Interprofessional tandems, consisting of doctors and nurses, conduct structured conversations at defined moments with patients and their relatives. The concept aims at shared decision making, continuity in the care of lung cancer patients and the early integration of palliative care. During the symposium on the Heidelberg Milestone Communication in January 2020, recommendations on the care situation of lung cancer patients in advanced stages were developed. In addition, the further adaptability of HeiMeKOM to other settings and hospitals and to other diseases was discussed as well as the possibility of implementing such a concept in standard care. This article presents the experiences, best practice examples and recommendations discussed during the symposium in order to enable their extrapolation to other similarly oriented projects. The long-term goal is to transfer the milestone concept to other hospital, primarily certified lung cancer centers, and to ensure permanent funding. For further dissemination of the concept and, above all, to have it established in standard care, health policy awareness and support are required in addition to the integration of the concept in competence catalogues of continuing medical and nursing education.

[Health Care for Asylum Seekers in Germany according to Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act: Public Perceptions and Preferences]. / Gesundheitsversorgung von Asylsuchenden in Deutschland nach Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz: Wahrnehmung und Präferenzen der Bevölkerung.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses public perceptions and preferences regarding scope, access and funding of health care for asylum seekers (AS). METHODS: Standardized survey addressing the population >18 years, combined quota plan, descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The sample (n=419) was rather badly informed about this topic. We found heterogeneous preferences. 47.0% preferred to maintain current regulations of the scope of health care, 22.7% wanted an expansion. 56.1% favored a health card. The EU, tax payers, countries of origin and AS were preferred as funders. CONCLUSION: A consideration of preferences might strengthen the acceptance and legitimation of decisions. Our results indicate that this would lead to moderate changes in health care for AS. Since participants were not well informed subjectively, we suggest qualitative research.

Organ Transplantation in the Face of Donor Shortage - Ethical Implications with a Focus on Liver Allocation.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation medicine is associated with several ethical issues related to the lack of organs. Major questions concern the regulations for giving permission for organ removal, informing the public about organ donation, setting of organ allocation priorities, waiting list access, and strategies to counteract scarcity. METHODS: This contribution is based on analyses of legal regulations, guidelines of self-regulatory bodies, administrative data, and literature from medical, normative, and empiric disciplines. It addresses the above-mentioned issues descriptively with a focus on Germany and liver transplantation. RESULTS: The basic principle of beneficence justifies a shift from voluntariness towards an obligation to document one's decision regarding organ donation. Organ allocation is obviously tangent to fundamental values and concepts of justice. At that, there is no consistent agreement on whether to prioritize the sickest patient or to maximize the overall health benefit. Restrictions relating to waiting list access are the subject of controversies. The reasons for denial of access are largely related to high demands on the prospect of success. Strategies to counteract organ scarcity partly conflict with the respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, or justice. CONCLUSION: We propose to focus on recent most promising strategies to counteract scarcity in the short-term: demanding a documented decision on organ donation and an orientation towards the Spanish model of organization. Concepts for waiting list access should constantly be reviewed considering all medical evidence and must not be based on moralism. Moreover, we suggest to consider public preferences for organ allocation and strengthen the confidence in transplantation medicine.