Can a National Health Portal Support Primary Care? - A Survey of General Practitioners

Background The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) is planning to set up an independent national health portal to provide evidence-based health information. As a desirable characteristic it should support doctors in their informational and advisory work. General practitioners, who deal with a wide range of symptoms, illnesses and patients, could benefit from this. In cooperation with the BMG's health innovation hub (hih), a research project was initiated in which GP positions, needs and requirements regarding a national health portal were identified. Methods and participants Based on a preliminary qualitative study, a total of 745 GPs in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland were interviewed in the course of a survey in early 2020. In addition to the descriptive analysis, a t-test with independent samples was used to identify significant differences between two groups. Results GPs expressed a need for a national health portal; 54 % evaluated the concept positively and 49 % saw a great potential for such support. Above all, help regarding medical advice (68 %), optimization of doctor-patient communication (56 %), stabilization of anxious patients (42 %) and a better 'training' in dealing with the health system (41 %) as also long- term stabilization of supply settings (38 %) were mentioned. Focus on prevention (91 %) and a symptom-oriented presentation (62 %) were considered important by GPs. Some GPs would also consider using this platform to compile information for their patients (45 %) and exchange information with colleagues (44 %). Discussion In the creation of a national health portal, GPs see significant opportunities for better patient information and counseling. On the one hand, the portal should be guideline based, and information conveyed in an understandable and symptom-oriented manner. On the other hand, it should support the doctor-patient relationship and improve orientation in healthcare. Open questions remain such as how to find the portal easily.