Effect of involving certified healthcare assistants in primary care in Germany: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Growing prevalence of chronic diseases and limited resources are the key challenges for future healthcare. As a promising approach to maintain high-quality primary care, non-physician healthcare professionals have been trained to broaden qualifications and responsibilities. This study aimed to assess the influence of involving certified healthcare assistants (HCAs, German: Versorgungsassistent/in in der Hausarztpraxis) on quality and efficacy of primary care in Germany.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

Patients insured by the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK) statutory health insurer (AOK, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany).

Interventions

Since 2008 practice assistants in Germany can enhance their professional educati

SUBMITTER: Senft JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6936982 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature