Psoriasis care in Germany: do patients who receive better care travel longer?

Background Large variations in the quality of psoriasis care lead to patients being willing to bypass the nearest physician to receive higher quality of care. However, it remains unknown whether actual travel time is associated with quality of care. This study aimed to identify perceived quality of care determinants for travel time to the physician among patients with psoriasis in Germany. Furthermore, differences in access and perceived quality of care between urban and rural areas in Germany were analyzed. Methods This cross-sectional observational study based on patient-level healthcare data. Perceived quality of care and treatment satisfaction were assessed from the patients’ perspective. Travel time was estimated by the patients. Multiple regression analysis with the predictors patient characteristics, system-related variables, urbanity, and patient satisfaction with treatment, was applied to identify determinants of travel time with subgroup analyses for rural and urban areas. Results We included 497 patients from 29 dermatological practices in Germany. There were significant differences in psoriasis care between urban and rural areas. Longer travel time was associated with lower age, higher income, higher number of consulted dermatologists since diagnosis, rural residence, more waiting time for the first appointment, lower dermatologist density, and higher patient reported treatment satisfaction. Discussion The results indicate an association between actual travel time and treatment satisfaction. Patients with higher perceived quality of care travel longer for their dermatological treatment. The results are also relevant to needs related planning.