Independent patient advice in Germany remained a reliable contact in the crisis year of 2022

20.06.2023 15:34

Monitor 2022 shows increased need for psychosocial advice and increasing problems in finding doctor's appointments.

In the crisis year of 2022, the advisory team of the Independent Patient Advice Germany (UPD) provided competent and reliable support, especially for sick people and people in need of care and their relatives. “On the one hand, the UPD is a good starting point to receive orientation and advice in our complex healthcare system, and on the other hand, it helps to strengthen patient orientation and improve health literacy. The great need for psychosocial advice in 2022 underlines how important a low-threshold, broad range of information and advice is for people in Germany. That is why I have advocated for the UPD to be converted into a foundation and will closely accompany this transition process,” explains the Federal Government’s patient representative, Stefan Schwartze MdB, on the occasion of the presentation of the Patient Advice Monitor 2022.

The annual monitor shows grievances and problems in the healthcare system based on the UPD's systematically documented consultations. An important topic in the 2022 reporting year is access to healthcare. “Unfortunately, the search for family doctors, specialists or psychotherapists is increasingly becoming an odyssey for many people. People with chronic physical or mental illnesses in particular cannot be expected to undergo a lengthy and complicated search for qualified service providers. The appointment service points introduced in 2019 have not yet had a significant impact. Politics and self-administration must quickly take further measures here,” says Thorben Krumwiede, managing director of the UPD.

There was also an increased need for advice on the topic of drug shortages in 2022. “Especially when vital medicines are not available, this often triggers anger and despair in patients and their relatives. We give those seeking advice tips on how they might still be able to get the medicine they want and advise them to talk to their doctors about possible alternatives. Unfortunately, we currently have the impression that increasingly broader patient groups are being ignored

are affected by drug shortages. Those affected currently have no other option than to visit individual pharmacies by telephone or in person, also because there is a lack of a digital overview of the pharmacies’ drug stocks,” says Thorben Krumwiede. Difficulties also emerged in the supply of incontinence aids. In order to receive good and sufficient care, those affected often have to accept additional organizational and financial effort. “In the event of quality deficiencies, those affected often do not receive any support from their health insurance companies, despite the existing obligation to supervise. “The health insurance companies also do not comply with the legally stipulated transparency obligation regarding the contracts concluded with service providers for the provision of medical aids,” criticizes Thorben Krumwiede.

Stefan Schwartze adds: “The federal government has rightly taken action on the issue of drug shortages. Due to the current world situation, the situation remains stressful for pharmacies and patients. The monitor shows that patient rights continue to be an important issue. The need for advice on treatment errors was again high last year. In order to be able to prove this and clarify possible claims, inspection of the patient file is an important prerequisite. Despite clear legal regulations, patients continue to encounter problems when they want to assert this right. Another problem is the standard of proof required when medical malpractice is suspected. In most cases, patients are unable to provide this proof. The UPD and I agree that we need a more patient-friendly regulation here.”