German doctors look to 2010 with skepticism

16.04.2010 16:08

Representative medical survey: 86 percent do not trust reform discussions

The mood among Germany's resident doctors is gloomy. Almost 86 percent (85.7%) of doctors currently do not assume that there will be a comprehensive healthcare reform in 2010 or 2011. These are the results of the monthly CompuGROUP Health MONITOR, a representative survey of 440 randomly selected doctors from CompuGROUP Holding AG, the Rhein-Zeitung and the Medical Tribune from February.

A sobering look into your wallet

Doctors are similarly pessimistic about the development of fees. Seven out of ten doctors (70.4%) do not believe that their income situation will improve “satisfactorily” over the course of the year. Only 6.4 percent of those surveyed were optimistic about their financial situation; around one in four (23.2%) expected a “partial reform”.

Good intentions don’t stop at doctors either

After all, Germany’s doctors are doing a lot for their own health in the “not so new year.” 21.1 percent want to lose a few kilos in 2010, and almost 70 percent (68.8%) want to at least maintain their weight. Only four out of 100 doctors (3.6%) reject such good resolutions at the start of the year as a “reason”. The Health MONITOR doesn't say why.

When it comes to not smoking, doctors are obviously aware of their role model function. 86.3 percent say they live without a problem. One in 50 people (2.4%) have committed themselves to quitting smoking in 2010 and are also firmly convinced that they can do it. Another four out of 100 doctors (4.0%) also want to become non-smokers, but doubt their own perseverance. Also exciting: Only 7.3 percent of residents - four times less than the general population - want to continue smoking.

At least for the patients everything should get better 

Regardless of your own attitude or expected stamina: German doctors never tire of teaching their patients a healthier lifestyle. Almost 90 percent of doctors always try to motivate every patient, or at least those for whom it could make a difference. A top value. Only just under six percent (5.8%) are very cautious here or - after two unsuccessful attempts - scale back their efforts (6.0%).