Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Beneder, N.
Disease-Management-Programme für Herzinsuffizienzpatienten und die Sicht der Allgemeinmediziner in Oberösterreich
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Graz Medical University; 2009. pp.63.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Fruhwald Friedrich
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- Abstract:
- Introduction: Heart failure is an increasing disease being both dangerous and affecting quality of life. It is the most frequent hospital-admission diagnosis for patients over 65. In Austria currently about 160.000 people suffer from heart failure. 40% of the patients who have been hospitalized because of heart failure pass away or are readmitted within one year. This is an enormous burden not only for the individual patient, but also for the health system. Approximately 2% of the total health budget is spent for the treatment of heart failure whereof two thirds are caused by hospitalizations. Especially Disease Management Programs (DMP) with an organized aftercare not only lead to a reduction in hospital stays and mortality, but also have a positive effect on the quality of life of the patients. Currently, there is no standardized and integrative program for heart failure patients in Austria. Methods: In order to investigate opinions of general practitioners in Upper Austria regarding Disease-Management-Programs for Heart Failure Patients a questionnaire with 16 questions was designed. The questionnaire was made available on the Internet and only accessible with a protected password, which was emailed to 701 general practi-tioners by the upper Austrian medical association. Results: 104 general practitioners participated in the survey (15% return rate), consisting of 83% male and 17% female physicians. 85 % of the respondents think that a DMP for heart failure patients is important or very important. The majority believes that a higher quality of life and fewer hospitalisations are the priority objectives of a DMP. Dangers are seen in the predominance of outpatient clinics and in an often changing contact person. The implementation of a comprehensive DMP for heart failure patients is desirable for more than half of the questioned physicians. Moreover, approximately 80% of the general practitioners are willing to participate actively in a DMP for heart failure patients. Discussion: Upper Austrias general practitioners advocate the implementation of a Disease-Management-Program for heart failure patients, but it is necessary that they are integrated in the conception from the very beginning. From now on the question should no longer be if we want a DMP for heart failure patients, but rather, how it can be realized in a way that all involved benefit from its implementation.