Struggles with Healthcare in Germany: Insured Individuals Voice Their Concerns
According to a survey commissioned by Siemens' health insurance fund, while the vast majority of insured people in Germany are content with the medical care they receive, a substantial number have encountered various obstacles in different areas of healthcare, such as care, hospitals, and finding suitable healthcare providers for pediatric needs.
For instance, 28% of parents with children under 12 in Munich experienced difficulties in finding a pediatrician's office, and approximately a third (31%) had to endure unreasonably prolonged wait times for appointments. Moreover, 30% of adults surveyed expressed frustration in securing appointments at general practitioner or specialist practices promptly, even when they required urgent care.
Is Emergency Care in Your Region Guaranteed?
A significant concern among those surveyed was the reliability of emergency care services in their own regions, with 24% not considering it guaranteed. Moreover, 35% of individuals who required care or assisted someone in need were not satisfied with the outpatient or inpatient care facilities, and additionally, an additional 2% struggled to secure a placement in a care home or care service in a timely manner.
Multiple Examinations at Short Intervals
A further problem is that 26% of all respondents noted that the same examinations were repeated due to missing communication between practices, leading to duplicated tests such as blood tests and X-rays, which occurred in over half (54%) of individuals in need of care.
Inequity in Care Satisfaction by Income Level
An intriguing finding from the survey is that satisfaction with medical care varies based on household income. While only 71% of respondents with low incomes of up to 1,000 euros expressed satisfaction with their doctors' practices, 83% of those with net income of 4,000 euros or more reported being satisfied, underscoring the persistence of healthcare inequities in Germany.
Enhancing Healthcare Access and Sustainability
While Siemens' company health insurance fund survey does not specifically address the challenges faced by insured individuals in Germany, its parent company, Siemens Healthineers, is demonstrating a commitment to improving healthcare access and sustainability through advanced technologies, strategic partnerships, and digital initiatives.
Siemens Healthineers is dedicated to addressing global healthcare challenges by enhancing access to basic healthcare, reducing maternal and child mortality, and improving healthcare infrastructure with digital transformation [1][2][3]. Through revolutionary innovations in medical imaging, such as photon-counting CT scanners and virtually helium-free MRI platforms, Siemens Healthineers aims to improve diagnostic precision and patient comfort [4].
Conclusion
While a majority of insured individuals are content with medical care in Germany, this survey highlights the need to address the obstacles they encounter in various aspects of healthcare, including choosing and making appointments with healthcare providers, and accessing emergency care services. Additionally, the survey emphasizes the disproportionate impact on low-income individuals, which compels action in addressing healthcare disparities in Germany. Siemens Healthineers' commitment to improving access and sustainability through technological innovations and partnerships can contribute to addressing these challenges and ensuring equitable healthcare for all Germans.
Sources:
- Siemens Healthineers Access to Healthcare Initiatives ()
- Siemens Healthineers Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality ()
- Siemens Healthineers Optimizing Healthcare Infrastructure with Digital Transformation ()
- Siemens Healthineers Revolutionizing Medical Imaging ()
