title: [Assessment of patient care needs in general practice].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the German health system general practice has changed drastically in the past few years and patients' opportunities to get medical informations have increased significantly. In light of this, patients' needs in general practice should be re-assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  279 patients from 16 practices mainly in Hessen and Rhineland-Palatinate were interviewed. Using principal factor analysis, 51 questions about doctors were analyzed regarding possible dimensions of patient care needs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dimensions of patient care needs could be described with four scales: (1) social situation and emotional support, (2) the practitioner's expertise, explanations and information, (3) empathy and esteem for patients and (4) availability of the practitioner and care to chronic patients. In older age groups the importance of psychosocial care was emphasized as well as the practitioner's availability and care for patients with chronic diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient care needs are concentrated in four scales, which include psychosocial and continuous care and availability for patients with chronic diseases. These tasks should be further emphasized in medical education and also represented in the remuneration of practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Schwerpunkt Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz, Germany. laubach@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Laubach
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fischbeck
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Röhrig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jansky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003376:Counseling / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000639:trends*; D005858:Germany; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000639:trends*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000639:trends; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult