A significant majority of German citizens express dissatisfaction with the length of time it takes to secure appointments with specialists, according to a recent survey conducted by Forsa for the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) health insurance fund. The survey, reported by “Der Spiegel”, indicates that 58 percent of respondents believe wait times are “far too long.
Jens Baas, CEO of the TK, highlighted the issue, stating that the allocation of appointments is often dictated by chance and outdated systems, rather than patient need. He emphasized the desire for a more efficient approach to patient access.
The German government is currently exploring the implementation of a primary care physician system, which would require patients to initially consult with their general practitioner who would then refer them to a specialist. Baas believes this measure is insufficient, advocating for a broader scope of patient management that extends beyond individual practices. He suggests options such as initial medical assessments via telephone consultations and the introduction of a centralized appointment platform.
While patient satisfaction with general practitioners remains comparatively high – with only 15 percent reporting excessively long wait times – concerns are being raised about the potential impact of the proposed primary care system on the workload of general practitioners. Baas cautioned that directing all patient pathways through primary care practices risks creating new bottlenecks within the healthcare system. The overarching aim, he believes, should be to connect patients directly with the specialist practice best suited to address their specific medical needs.
