Dataset Information

Frequency and management of emergencies in primary care offices: A cross-sectional study in northwestern Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little literature exists on emergencies within primary care offices.

Objectives

We aimed to study the occurrence of emergencies and confidence in dealing with them among primary care physicians (PCPs) in Germany.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among all PCPs with licences to practice with an own office (n = 915) in a northwestern region in Germany in 2019. Participants were asked to estimate the frequency and type of emergencies that occurred in the last 12 months in their office and about their confidence in managing emergency situations.

Results

Answers from 375 PCPs could be analysed (response: 41.0%); 95.7% reported at least one emergency in their office within the last 12 months (mean 12.9). PCPs from rural offices reported more emergencies (on average 13.7 vs. 9.6). Acute coronary syndrome, cardiac arrhythmia and dyspnoea were the most common emergencies. A greater likelihood of feeling more confident in managing medical emergencies was found among male physicians, general internists, PCPs additionally qualified as emergency physicians and those with previous training in the emergency department and intensive care unit. In contrast, more general practitioners felt secure treating paediatric emergencies than general internists (highest level of confidence 22.1% vs. 16.3%).

Conclusion

In Germany, emergencies in primary care offices occur on average once a month and more often in rural than urban areas. While most PCPs are confident in managing medical emergencies, some differences related to the training path became apparent. Ongoing training programmes may be tailored to improve emergency skills.

SUBMITTER: Melzel M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9291701 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Frequency and management of emergencies in primary care offices: A cross-sectional study in northwestern Germany.

Melzel Max M Hoffmann Falk F Freitag Michael H MH Spreckelsen Ove O

The European journal of general practice 20221201 1

<h4>Background</h4>Little literature exists on emergencies within primary care offices.<h4>Objectives</h4>We aimed to study the occurrence of emergencies and confidence in dealing with them among primary care physicians (PCPs) in Germany.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a cross-sectional study among all PCPs with licences to practice with an own office (<i>n</i> = 915) in a northwestern region in Germany in 2019. Participants were asked to estimate the frequency and type of emergencies that occurred ...[more]

PMID: 35819357

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Dataset Information

Frequency and management of emergencies in primary care offices: A cross-sectional study in northwestern Germany.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Frequency and management of emergencies in primary care offices: A cross-sectional study in northwestern Germany.

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