[Level of information and attitude to rehabilitation in the population]

The demand for rehabilitation services and benefits under the pension insurance scheme has repeatedly seen fluctuations, in particular in the wake of amendments in the statutory prerequisites and benefit scope. Since late 1996, the discussion on the rank of rehab benefits and massive regulatory activity of the law-maker have resulted in major declines in the numbers of applications received. In a nationwide survey, representative statements have therefore been collected on the level of awareness of and attitudes towards the field of medical rehabilitation in the population at large. The findings show that clearly reduced levels of demand for rehabilitation services and benefits, i.e. a nearly 50% drop, will have to be expected in the years ahead. Even among insures whose working capacity is endangered for health reasons, there is quite a number who would rather refrain from applying for rehabilitation. Reasons given in particular include excessive costs due to the additional user charges, doubt of successful participation, and fear of jeopardizing employment. Only about half of the general population is familiar with the actual amount of additional user charges in case of rehab participation, and an even lower share is aware of the exemptions possible. A considerable proportion of the population at large is afraid of adverse occupational consequences in case of participation in a rehabilitation measure, a proportion which however is much lower among persons with earlier actual participation.