title: [Medical certificates and examinations in family doctor's office. Indications, barriers and relevance of standardization].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In view of medical care being required more and more, the doctors' tight time should be reserved for tasks which correspond to their qualification. A standardization of certificates might save time and improve quality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper overviews the role of certificates and the required examinations in family doctor's everyday practice. Current practices, difficulties and suggestions for improvements were worked out in order to illuminate the potential for standardization.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a questionnaire for family doctors data concerning expenditure of time and billing of diverse certificates were collected and quantitatively evaluated. By means of expert interviews difficulties were identified and suggestions for improvement were developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of templates shows a significant saving of time compared to free wording. Also, billing could be enhanced if carried out more systematically. Difficulties are mainly caused by unclear and unrealistic requests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It's worth being proactive and developing a systematic approach in order to save time and to improve the quality of certificates. Templates facilitate modest certificates, while elaborate certificates need adjustable textmodules and checklists. Consistent information and billing promote patients' understanding.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Campus Innenstadt, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, 80336, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ertl
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Campus Innenstadt, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, 80336, München, Deutschland. Linda.Sanftenberg@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanftenberg
authors.affiliation: Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Campus Innenstadt, Pettenkoferstr. 8a, 80336, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schelling
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination; D010821:Physicians, Family
keywords: Medical certificate; billing; economy of time; general practitioner’s office; standardization