| Autor: |
Edlinger C; Department of Cardiology, Heart Center Brandenburg, 16321 Berlin, Germany.; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) 'Theodor Fontane', 16816 Neuruppin, Germany.; Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Department of Cardiology, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria., Bannehr M; Department of Cardiology, Heart Center Brandenburg, 16321 Berlin, Germany.; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) 'Theodor Fontane', 16816 Neuruppin, Germany., Georgi C; Department of Cardiology, Heart Center Brandenburg, 16321 Berlin, Germany.; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) 'Theodor Fontane', 16816 Neuruppin, Germany., Reiners D; Department of Cardiology, Heart Center Brandenburg, 16321 Berlin, Germany.; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) 'Theodor Fontane', 16816 Neuruppin, Germany., Lichtenauer M; Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Department of Cardiology, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria., Haase-Fielitz A; Department of Cardiology, Heart Center Brandenburg, 16321 Berlin, Germany.; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) 'Theodor Fontane', 16816 Neuruppin, Germany., Butter C; Department of Cardiology, Heart Center Brandenburg, 16321 Berlin, Germany.; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) 'Theodor Fontane', 16816 Neuruppin, Germany. |
| Abstrakt: |
(1) Background: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is nowadays an indispensable treatment option for heart failure. Although the indication is subject to clear cross-national guidelines by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), there is immense variation in the number of implantations per 100,000 inhabitants in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). The aim of the present study was to identify possible factors for these differences using a qualitative research approach. (2) Methods: Semi-standardized interviews were conducted with 11 experts in the field of CRT therapy (3 experts from Germany, 4 from Austria and 4 from Switzerland) using a pre-prepared interview template and analysed according to Mayring's qualitative content analysis. (3) Results: The main factors identified were the costs of purchasing the devices and the financing systems of the respective healthcare systems, although cost pressure still seems to play a subordinate role in the German-speaking countries. Moreover, "lack of implementation of ESC guidelines", "insufficient training" and "lack of medical infrastructure" could be excluded as potential reasons. (4) Conclusions: Economic factors, but not a lack of adherence to ESC guidelines, seem to have a major influence on the fluctuating implantation figures in German-speaking countries, according to the unanimous assessment of renowned experts. |
