Table 5 Summary of main categories and subcategories of perceived problems in ambulatory care

1

 Aging patients and GPs

X

X

X

X

X

 Lack of young recruits in primary care

X

X

X

X

2

 Certain patient types are very time consuming

X

X

X

X

X

 Patients misjudge the necessity of treatment and consult their GPs too late

X

X

X

X

 Patients misjudge the necessity treatment and consult their GPs about banalities

X

X

 Urban patients have less confidence in their GP’s abilities

X

X

X

3

 Not enough GPs in rural areas lead to long waiting times and crowded practices

X

X

X

X

 The work-life balance of the GP is threatened by long working hours

X

X

X

X

 (Too) many GPs in urban areas lead to high competition rates and to the poaching of patients

X

 (Too) many GPs in urban areas lead to a higher fluctuation of patients

X

X

 A lack of parking spots leads to long commutes in urban areas (for GPs and patients)

X

X

 Long distances lead to long commutes in rural areas (for GPs and patients)

X

X

X

X

4

 GPs’ budgets are not adequate

X

X

X

X

X

 Some consultations are not financially compensated for GPs

X

X

X

5

 A lack of specialists leads to long waits for appointments

X

X

X

X

X

X

 GPs have to assume duties of the specialists

X

X

X

X

 Specialists do not inform or inadequately inform their patients’ GPs

X

X

6

 GPs must provide follow-up care for patients discharged with still healing wounds

X

X

X

 Staff shortage in hospitals in rural areas

X

X

 Lack of cooperation/communication between GPs and hospitals

X

X

X

 Discharge reports are incorrect or missing

X

X

X

 Prescribed medications from hospitals must be reduced by the GP on an outpatient basis

X

X

 GPs and patients consider some hospital therapies/diagnostics unnecessary

X

X

X