Work-Related Intervention Needs of Medical Assistants and How to Potentially Address Them according to Supervising General Practitioners: A Qualitative Study

Jessica Scharf, Patricia Vu-Eickmann, Peter Angerer, Andreas Müller, Jürgen in der Schmitten and Adrian Loerbroks
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Jessica Scharf: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Patricia Vu-Eickmann: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Peter Angerer: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
Andreas Müller: Institute of Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 2, 45141 Essen, Germany
Jürgen in der Schmitten: Institute of General Practice, University of Duisburg-Essen, Pelmanstr. 81, 45131 Essen, Germany
Adrian Loerbroks: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Work stress is common among health care professionals and this observation also holds true for general practitioners (GPs) and their medical assistance staff in Germany. Therefore, prior studies have examined the work-related intervention needs of medical assistants (MAs). We sought to explore potential interventions that may help to address these needs according to GPs’ views. Between December 2018 and April 2019 GPs were recruited via physician networks and through personal visits in general practices. Information on the nature and prevalence of 20 work-related intervention needs of MAs was presented to GPs. GPs then participated in a qualitative interview to reflect on the MAs’ needs. Qualitative content analysis according to Mayring was carried out using MAXQDA. A total of 21 GPs participated and perceived many of the needs as justified. The least understanding was expressed for requests of MA related to occupational aspects that were already known prior to hiring. The responsibility to address needs was often assigned to the German health policy. GPs expressed though that they considered addressing the need for better leadership style as their own responsibility as supervisors. Furthermore, professional training was discussed as one opportunity to raise the recognition and remuneration of MAs. Measures to address the work-related intervention needs of MAs and to thereby improve the working conditions of MAs were discussed with GPs.

Keywords: medical assistants; general practitioners; work-related intervention needs; qualitative study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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