title: [Epidemics and pandemics in general practice. What can we learn from the swine flu (H1N1) and EHEC outbreak?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As primary care givers with a coordinating function, general practitioners (GP) play a key role in dealing with epidemics and pandemics. As of yet, there are no studies in Germany describing the difficulties experienced by GPs in patient care during epidemics/pandemics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at identifying the problem areas in GPs' patient care during the H1N1 and EHEC (enterohemorrhagic strain of Escherichia coli) outbreaks. With this information, recommendations for guaranteeing proper patient care during future epidemics/pandemics can be derived.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 12 qualitative, semi-structured, open guideline interviews with GPs in Hamburg and Lübeck were conducted, transcribed, and evaluated with qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five areas in ambulatory patient care were identified in which changes are needed from the primary care perspective: provision of information for GPs, workload, financing of epidemic-related measures, organization of the practices, care of those taken ill.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The workload of GPs in particular can and should be reduced through successful, centralized information distribution during epidemics/pandemics. The GP's function as a coordinator should be supported and consolidated, in order to relieve the in-patient sector in cases of an epidemic/pandemic. Secured financing of epidemic-associated measures can help ensure patient care.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland, m.eisele@uke.de.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: H-O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: von Leitner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pohontsch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scherer
mesh_terms: D054324:Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli; D058006:General Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058873:Pandemics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data