[Independent dental patient consultation service--experiences of the information center for the Rhine-Neckar district].
Patients should be the focus of health care - or so resounds the frequently heard cry of politicians, consumer protection groups and patient representatives. It cannot be denied that the increased co-determination of the insured and of patients in the health service is a sign of the times. Demanding ever increasing health insurance premiums and exacting higher additional contributions from patients on the one hand without increasing their say and their rights on the other hand meets with little sympathy. Spouting like a mantra about "personal responsibility", the "voice of the patient" or the "sovereignty of the consumer" in talk-shows or studio debates is not sufficient. Words must be followed up by actions in order to give patients the necessary skills to enable them to make autonomous decisions. One step in this direction is the model of an independent dental consumer and patient advisory service in the Rhine-Neckar district health authority presented here and sponsored by the central associations of the health insurance companies in the scope of the funding provided under section sign 65 b SGB V [Social Security Code]. Since 2001 over 4000 people seeking advice have received information about dental treatment, planned therapies or legal issues. More than half of those seeking advice are between 40 and 70 years old and the number of women outweighs the number of men. The majority of patients want an independent second opinion, demonstrating the limits of call centres or Internet advice services. The anonymity of the consultation is an important factor for those seeking advice. The successful integration of the advisory service is evident, not only from the high number of consultations, but also from the fact that the majority of those seeking advice have been referred to the service by their respective health insurance company. For various reasons it can be assumed that there will be an increasing demand for qualified dental advice. It is therefore incumbent on health policy to create a regulatory framework and to ensure the funding on a broader base. Wherever possible the public health service can take control, ensuring the independence of the advisory service and guaranteeing that group interests remain outside.
Niekusch
U
U
Gesundheitsamt Rhein-Neckar-Kreis - Zahnärztlicher Dienst, Heidelberg. info@agz-rnk.de
Wagner
C
C
Klett
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*