Comparing the quality of care in physician networks to usual care for elderly patients in three German regions: a quasi-experimental cohort study.

Objectives: Patients in Germany have free choice of physicians in the ambulatory care sector and can consult them as often as they wish without a referral. This can lead to inefficiencies in treatment pathways. In response, some physicians have formed networks to improve the coordination and quality of care.

The role of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors in the use of preventive healthcare services in children and adolescents: results of the KiGGS Wave 2 study.

Background: In Germany, various preventive services are offered to children and adolescents. These include regular standardized examinations (so called U/J examinations) and several vaccinations. Although strongly recommended, most of them are not mandatory.

The role of mesolevel characteristics of the health care system and socioeconomic factors on health care use - results of a scoping review.

Background: Besides macrolevel characteristics of a health care system, mesolevel access characteristics can exert influence on socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. These reflect access to healthcare, which is shaped on a smaller scale than the national level, by the institutions and establishments of a health system that individuals interact with on a regular basis. This scoping review maps the existing evidence about the influence of mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic position on healthcare use.

The impact of primary total hip and knee replacement on frailty: an observational prospective analysis.

Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition in frail older adults that requires hip or knee replacement in many patients. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of hip and knee arthroplasty on frailty.

Methods: In this prospective short-term study, we used data from 101 participants of the ongoing Special Orthopaedic Geriatrics (SOG) trial, funded by the German Federal Joint Committee (GBA).

The impact of elective total hip and knee arthroplasty on physical performance in orthogeriatric patients: a prospective intervention study.

Background: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition in older adults that leads to reduced physical function in many patients and ultimately requires hip or knee replacement. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of hip and knee arthroplasty on the physical performance of orthogeriatric patients with osteoarthritis.

Methods: In this prospective study, we used data from 135 participants of the ongoing Special Orthopaedic Geriatrics (SOG) trial, funded by the German Federal Joint Committee (GBA).