Science and Research

[Patient Care in German Outpatient Clinics for Environmental Medicine Illustrated by the Examples of Hamburg and Munich University Hospitals]

People can be affected by various environmental factors (e. g., odor, noise) which can lead to medical complaints or illnesses. Few adequate contact points are available for patients with suspected environmental complaints in Germany. Illustrated by the outpatient clinics for environmental medicine in Hamburg and Munich, this report shows how patients with suspected environmental medical diseases are cared for in Germany. For the exemplary presentation, the data of the environmental medicine outpatient clinics of both the university hospitals from 01.01.2019 to 31.03.2021 are presented and compared. Overall, more female than male patients were treated at both facilities. Suspected exposure to "heavy metals" was most frequently mentioned by patients as the assumed reason for their complaints. Nonetheless, the suspected exposure or "intoxication" could be ruled out in the majority of cases by appropriate examination methods in accordance to current medical guidelines. The data provided by the environmental medicine outpatient clinics show that there is a continuous demand for environmental medical care. A close cooperation between the private practice sector and the outpatient clinics for environmental medicine providing medical care to patients should therefore be sought.

  • Gigl, R.
  • Quartucci, C.
  • Nowak, D.
  • Ochmann, U.
  • Garrido, M. V.
  • Preisser, A. M.
  • Harth, V.
  • Herr, C. E. W.
  • Heinze, S.

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • *Environmental Medicine
  • Germany
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Patient Care
Publication details
DOI: 10.1055/a-2183-8119
Journal: Gesundheitswesen
Pages: 1110-1114 
Number: 12
Work Type: Original
Location: CPC-M
Disease Area: General Lung and Other
Partner / Member: KUM
Access-Number: 38081172

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