Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate differences in the demand for medical care in German women. We compared West and East Germany and the influence of important sociodemographic factors such as age, education, employment and financial background. Material and Methods: In November and December 1998 1122 women were questioned in a representative survey. We used several established health questionnaires and a recently developed new questionnaire about the demand for medical care, which investigated the kind of complaints which lead people to consult a physician. Results: The demand for medical care strongly depends on the patient's affiliation to either the Western or Eastern part of Germany and on the educational level. Women living in the Eastern part complained more frequently about physical symptoms and somatoform or psychosomatic complaints. On the other hand, in cases of physical or mental complaints they consulted a physician less frequently. Women with a higher educational level demanded medical care less frequently than women with a lower educational level. Conclusions: The demand for medical care strongly depends on the different social situation of women in East and West Germany. Financial background, satisfaction with life, education and information about the physical and mental basis for diseases have a strong influence on the women's demand for medical care.
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