ZukiBa - Access to paediatric care in Bavaria

In 2021, the highest number of live births since 1991 was recorded in Bavaria. Compared to the previous year, the number of births rose by 4.3%. In addition, the ratio of children to paediatricians in Bavaria is high compared to other federal states. The continuing rise in the number of children therefore means increasing pressure on the already overburdened outpatient paediatric care: with 23.3 million KBV billing cases, paediatricians are the third strongest specialist group in Germany in terms of the number of services provided. In this already strained situation, winter waves of illness bring the care system to its limits more quickly. As a result, families looking for a consultation for their children or seeking long-term care are repeatedly turned away. The project, funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention (StMGP), addresses this issue and provides an insight into the actual care and admission situation and how it is perceived by those affected. This is not only important for existing patients, but is particularly important for families seeking treatment. The overarching aim of the study is to examine the extent to which access to paediatric services in Bavaria, as determined by demand planning, differs from actual access and what influence the different care situations have on families. The theoretical basis is provided by the multi-layered concept of accessibility, in which several dimensions are interrelated. This multidimensional view encompasses social, financial, personal and geographical factors and offers a more comprehensive perspective on "access" than the sole consideration of distance factors. Using a mixed-methods approach consisting of accessibility analyses (GIS) and problem-centred guided interviews, a comprehensive analysis of paediatric care in 5 selected planning regions in Bavaria is being sought. The results of the project are intended to make a critical contribution to the assessment of patient-centred primary care.