[Does the service of the federal government commissioner for patient issues appeal to the elderly?].
BACKGROUND
For the first time, this study investigates to which extent elderly persons write to the federal government commissioner for patient issues in Germany.


METHODS
A 33% sampling (n=850) of the written inquiries (correspondence and emails) addressed to the commissioner in the first six months of the year 2005 (n=2580) was investigated. Socio-demographic data were extracted from the material; furthermore, it was registered which diseases the citizens described.


RESULTS
Older persons outweigh the younger (69% over 60 years, mean age 63 years). Within the group of the elderly, approximately as many persons belong to the age group 60-69 years and to the age group 70 years and older. Most frequently, the citizens describe chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system.


CONCLUSIONS
The new service of the federal government commissioner for patient issues appeals to the elderly in Germany. The high proportion of people with chronic illness among the inquirers emphasizes the need for information, advice and support for this target group. Further research is needed on the answers to the inquirers, and on the question how helpful the contact to the government commissioner's office is from the viewpoint of the citizens; furthermore, possible barrieres (e.g. social state) should be analyzed.
Schneider
N
N
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Abt. Epidemiologie, Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitssystemsforschung, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. schneider.nils@mh-hannover.de
Seidel
G
G
Dierks
M-L
ML
D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005858:Germany; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
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