BMC Health Services Research
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2018

Determinants of having no general practitioner in Germany and the influence of a migration background: Results of the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1) 11 Medical and Health Sciences 1117 Public Health and Health Services (Article) (Open Access)

Tillmann J.* , Puth M.-T. , Frank L. , Weckbecker K. , Klaschik M. , Münster E.
  • a Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
  • b Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany, Department of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
  • c Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, 13353, Germany
  • d Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
  • e Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
  • f Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany

Abstract

Background: It is aspired in the German healthcare system that general practitioners (GPs) act as initial contact for patients and guide through at all steps of medical treatment. This study aims at identifying factors associated with the odds of having no GP within the general population and especially among people with migration background. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis was based on the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults" (DEGS1) conducted by the Robert Koch Institute. Descriptive analyses as well as multiple logistic regression models were performed to analyse the impact of a migration background, age, gender, residential area, socioeconomic status (SES) and other factors on having no GP among 7755 participants. Results: 9.5% of the total study population and 14.8% of people with a migration background had no GP, especially men, adults living in big cities and without chronic diseases. The odds of not having a GP were higher for people with a two-sided migration background (aOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.42-2.55). Among the population with a migration background, particularly young adults, men, people living in big cities and having a private health insurance showed higher odds to have no GP. Conclusions: It is necessary to investigate the causes of the differing utilization of healthcare of people with a migration background and, if necessary, to take measures for an equal access to healthcare for all population groups. Further research needs to be done to evaluate how to get young people into contact with a GP. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

DEGS Use of health services Migration General practitioner

Index Keywords

Germany human statistics and numerical data General Practitioners general practitioner Epidemiologic Methods chronic disease Young Adult Humans Adolescent male female supply and distribution adult migration patient attitude Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care social class
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85054397285&doi=10.1186%2fs12913-018-3571-2&partnerID=40&md5=315b4fedd04f18924a97f842166cb0e4
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3571-2
ISSN: 14726963
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English