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Table 3 Challenges experienced in the interdisciplinary relationship, GPs. Question: A variety of challenges may arise when general practitioners and district specialists for outpatients collaborate on diagnosing cirrhosis. How often have you experienced the following challenges? (N = 2.701, GPs)

From: Evaluation of elevated liver values in primary care - a series of studies on the status quo of care in Germany with special reference to alcoholic liver disease

Statement

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

No response

Resident gastroenterologists are fully booked long-term due to the many gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy tests they are required to perform.

69%

21%

6%

3%

1%

District specialists do not have the time to discuss mostly complex patient problems with you.

41%

39%

10%

8%

2%

There are too few nearby specialist internal medicine practices to diagnose liver counts the way I would like.

37%

36%

11%

15%

1%

Specialists do not brief patients enough, who then go back to general practitioners out of uncertainty.

30%

42%

13%

13%

2%

Gastroenterological district specialists are difficult for patients to reach.

35%

34%

16%

14%

1%

Specialists do not issue direct referrals to a liver centre on suspicion of cirrhosis, so patients come back to their general practitioners for the time being (going around in circles with time wasted).

23%

40%

20%

16%

1%

District specialists are booked out for too long, so I refer my patients straight to a specialist clinic.

21%

35%

19%

23%

2%

I have to wait for a long time for district specialists to pass on their findings.

19%

33%

20%

27%

1%

District specialists do not inform general practitioners enough about the tests they have conducted or the results and/or diagnoses they have made.

17%

35%

24%

23%

1%