Gesundheitskompetenz und Hausarztbindung nicht dringlicher Patientinnen und Patienten in Notaufnahmen: Ergebnisse der PiNo-Studie in Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein

“I do not know the advantages of having a general practitioner” - a qualitative study exploring the views of low-acuity emergency patients without a regular general practitioner toward primary care

“…Other works have stressed that in addition to continuity of care, the doctor-patient relationship plays a central role in the decision to either consult a GP or turn to the ED for a problem that is perceived as urgent [ 41 , 42 ]. In line with this, Strauß et al reported that both the quality of a GP-patient relationship and the experienced continuity of care are crucial factors in reducing ED utilization beyond mere attachment to a GP [ 10 ]. Our own research points in a similar direction [ 20 ].…”

“…On that score, Strauß et al found that health literacy in low-acuity ED patients was positively related to GP attachment. Therefore, they assumed that improving GP attachment among these patients would help them to receive personalized information from their GP about different health care options and therefore make more adequate ED utilization decisions [ 10 ]. Likewise, Oedekoven et al stressed the importance of GPs as a source of health-related information [ 39 ].…”

“…There is evidence that lower levels of heath literacy are associated with higher subjectively perceived treatment urgency [ 9 ]. In this context, GP care has been advocated not only as an adequate alternative treatment option for low-acuity health issues but also as an important source of health information and facilitator for care coordination, helping patients navigate in the sometimes complex structures of the health care system [ 10 , 11 ]. Consequently, it is assumed that patients with no continuous GP attachment are more likely to visit the ED for low-acuity care needs [ 12 ].…”