[Ambulatory management during the transformation process--a survey of physicians in new German districts]

The transformation of the health care system in the former GDR is demonstrated empirically on the basis of postal surveys conducted in 1990/91 with reference to the following spheres: 1. Routine problems. In diagnosis and therapy, the central problem was that the equipment required was often either lacking or defective. 2. Social perception. Female doctors regarded themselves as more understanding, progressive, sensitive, and friendly than their male colleagues. 3. Dynamics of transformation. The percentage of doctors with a practice of their own increased from 1990 to 1991 from 4.2 to 61.4%. 4. Reasons for starting a private practice. For male doctors the motives of greater latitudes in defining working hours and work routines as well as long-term expectations of increasing income were significantly more important than for female doctors. 5. Initial problems. Three aspects proved to be the most significant: too little time for family, work load too high, accounting problems. 6. Job satisfaction. In the course of time, the greatest increase in satisfaction was found to be related to possibilities of advanced professional training and income. A significant trend toward decreasing satisfaction was noted for dimensions such as work load, relationship between work and leisure, as well as secretarial work and accounting.