[Cooperation between physicians and non-medically trained practitioners: advantages and obstacles].

Area of Science:

• Medical practice regulation
• Healthcare professional collaboration
• Complementary and alternative medicine

Context:

• Germany permits both physicians and non-medically trained practitioners (Heilpraktiker) to practice medicine.
• Cooperation between physicians and Heilpraktiker presents challenges in task division and responsibility.
• Understanding physician willingness to collaborate with Heilpraktiker is crucial for integrated patient care.

Purpose:

• To assess the extent of physicians' willingness to cooperate with Heilpraktiker.
• To identify the conditions, opportunities, and obstacles associated with such cooperation.
• To explore physicians' perspectives on integrating Heilpraktiker into patient treatment plans.

Summary:

• Physicians are partly willing to collaborate with Heilpraktiker, particularly for minor ailments, but with strict conditions.
• Obstacles include low confidence in Heilpraktiker training and concerns about interference with conventional treatment and the physician-patient relationship.
• Key requirements for cooperation involve Heilpraktiker respecting limitations and transparent health insurance contracts for remuneration.

Impact:

• Highlights the need for further quantitative research to generalize findings on physician collaboration.
• Suggests evaluating the willingness of Heilpraktiker to collaborate with physicians.
• Emphasizes reducing communication barriers to facilitate open patient disclosure about consultations with Heilpraktiker.