AOK Hessen demands: No longer waiting times for patients!

AOK Hessen demands: No longer waiting times for patients!

In Hesse, many patients are frustrated about the long waiting times for specialist dates. A current AOK study shows that 70% of those surveyed would be willing to exchange the free choice of doctor for faster appointments. Only 26% of the respondents prefer the doctor's choice, even if this leads to longer waiting times. These findings come from a Forsa survey that was carried out between March 27 and April 7 and interviewed 8583 people. AOK Hessen therefore requires fundamentally new systems to improve care.

The AOK Hessen plans to include a primary care system in the coalition agreement of the new government. This system is intended to optimize general medical care by leading patients more efficiently through the health system. The survey shows that 71% of the respondents support the primary care approach. Ralf Metzger, head of the AOK Hessen, emphasizes that such a system would lead to a targeted access to health care, among other things, and reduce the risk of double examinations.

disadvantage of legally insured

Another point that the AOK Hessen denounces is the disadvantage of statutory health -insured patients when making appointments. According to the survey, 61% of the legally insured persons have learned that privately insured persons were preferred. It is frightening that 20% of the legally insured persons have only received a timely date through self-paying or hedgehog benefits. This illustrates the need for a binding, standardized initial assessment procedure and the expansion of the appointment agencies.

Only 15% of Hesse do not feel stressed, which indicates the sometimes tense conditions in the healthcare system. The AOK demands that appointments should be awarded according to medical treatment needs and urgency in order to reduce the burden on the patient.

international comparative studies

In international comparison, however, waiting times in Germany do well. According to a study by the OECD, which examined the waiting for doctor's appointments, 75% of those surveyed in Germany received an appointment with a specialist within one month. Germany, together with Switzerland and the Netherlands, has the shortest waiting times. In countries such as Sweden, Norway and Canada, however, over 50% of those surveyed had to wait a month or more for an appointment.

The AOK Hessen is now committed to ensuring that legally insured persons can also benefit from a faster and fairer distribution of the doctor's appointments. The proposed measures could reduce the pressure on the health system and increase the satisfaction of patients. In this context, it will be crucial how the new government reacts to the demands of the AOK.

For more information about the survey and the current situation in primary care in Hesse, please visit the AOK Hessen at aok.de , for more about the international comparison study die PKV , and for the current situation in Hesse op-online.de .