Physicians' comprehension of the German Patients' Rights Act: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The German Patients' Rights Act (PRA), promulgated on February 25, 2013, was created to enhance transparency of patients' rights. This prospective study aimed to objectively measure physicians' comprehension of the PRA.

Methods: We generated a controlled study design, developing a questionnaire consisting of six case scenarios with 4-7 dichotomous items each. The survey concluded with seven 5-point-Likert scale questions, dealing with the PRA's effects. Physicians teaching at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster served as the intervention group, and medical students from WWU Münster at the beginning of their clinical education formed the control group. Physicians were surveyed in November 2015; students were surveyed in February 2016.

Results: A total 56 completed surveys of physicians and 134 of students were analyzed. Of a total 33 points, on average physicians answered 21.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) 20.43-21.64) items correctly, a significantly higher result than students' 19.74 (95% CI 19.31-20.17) points (p < 0.001; Hedges' g = 0.53). Estimations of the PRA's effects were ambiguous. Students agreed with the PRA's supporting effect more often than physicians (p < 0.001) whereas physicians felt increased uncertainty arising from the PRA.

Conclusion: Comprehension of the PRA increases significantly over the course of medical work experience; however, this comprehension is limited among medical experts. The PRA leads to ambiguity and uncertainty in the medical decision-making process.