Abstracts by keywords: hypertension
Background: One-third of the German population is affected by high blood pressure. Digital preventive interventions are particularly suitable for promoting a healthy lifestyle. The model project "AOK Heart Health Digital" was initiated to support patients with hypertension. Methods: The aim of the study (with three survey waves) was to identify factors from the participants' perspective that promote or inhibit the (long-term) use of such interventions. Results: Subjective self-management/disease management, general health status, and health literacy improved. Personal counseling, in particular, proved to be beneficial and motivating. Technical and motivational barriers were identified. Conclusion: The results show that personal components can significantly influence the success of digital interventions.
02.06.2025
Hypertension is responsible for more than seven million deaths worldwide each year, accounting for approximately 13% of all deaths [1]. In Germany, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 60% of people aged 65 and over [2]. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases, affecting around 7% of people in Germany [3]. DM is one of the main risk factors for hypertension [4]. Most hypertension and DM patients require drug therapy, often polypharmacotherapy, to achieve optimal blood pressure and blood glucose control [4,5]. Several classes of drugs are recommended for the treatment of hypertension [4] and DM [5]. However, adherence to these therapies is still a common problem [6, 7]. The current coronavirus pandemic is having a major impact on healthcare systems around the world. Maintaining adherence in patients with chronic diseases during a pandemic can become a major challenge for physicians and pharmacies [8]. There is a risk that good care for Covid-19 patients could negatively impact the care of around 19 million patients with hypertension [9] and over 7 million patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [10]. To date, no studies have been published on prescriptions of antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications or patient adherence to these therapies during the pandemic. It is to be expected that people are less likely to be adherent to therapy during this time. The aim of this study was to examine the development of the number of patients who received cardiovascular or diabetic medications from pharmacies in the first quarter of 2020.
28.07.2020
Integrated supply models are legally and politically supported in Germany. The aim of such models is to contribute to optimizing high-quality and economical patient care by promoting collaboration between service providers within and between the outpatient, acute inpatient, rehabilitation and nursing sectors. Due to the ongoing cost pressure in the German healthcare system, redundancies and frictional losses between the players should be reduced and the burden on social security funds should be relieved. An essential feature of integrated care models is that providers, consumers and cost bearers conclude an individual contract on the basis of selective contracts and on a voluntary basis (see §§140a and b SGB V). In doing so, the legislature has moved away from the collective bargaining system in order to promote greater competition and efficiency in the healthcare system. This opens up the possibility for health insurance companies in particular to select service providers according to their own criteria, negotiate remuneration systems and thus standardize service financing and service delivery under one roof (cf. Amelung 2009, p.6f.). The result is a change in the roles in the traditional triangular structure of insurance company - service provider - patient. The benefit for service providers is to distinguish themselves and professionalize themselves in the competition by offering special treatment programs. Proof of good quality and reputation thus becomes the focus of interest for service providers. Patients benefit from coordinated treatment and quality through, for example, integrated treatment paths (Waehlert/Wagner/Czap 2010) as well as possible bonuses/discounts or other improved conditions from the payers through participation in integrated care models. In return, the patients usually give up their free choice of doctor and undertake to recognize the performance control in the specified contract.