Table 1 Characteristics of general practitioners (GPs) surveyed

Number of GPs reached

2,014

Number of GPs returning questionnaire (n, %^a)

292

Response rate: 14.5%

Gender (n, %^a)

 Female

170

59.4%

 Male

116

40.6%

 NR

6

-

Work experience as GP (median, interquartile range)

15 years

IQR: 8 – 23

Employment status (n, %^a)

 Self-employed GP

244

85.0%

 Employed in general practice

43

15.0%

 NR

5

-

Practice type (n, %^a, 95% CI)

 Single-handed practice

168

57.9%

 Group practice

95

32.8%

 Ambulatory healthcare centre

25

8.6%

 Other

2

0.7%

 NR

2

-

Population size of practice location (n, %^a)

 Rural community (< 5,000 pop.)

84

29.3%

 Small town (5,000—20,000 pop.)

70

24.5%

 Large town (20,000—100,000 pop.)

65

22.7%

 Urban centres (> 100,000 pop.)

67

23.4%

 NR

6

-

German federal state (n, %^a)

 Thuringia

212

73.1%

 Bremen

45

15.5%

 Bavaria [Lower Franconia]

31

10.7%

 Other

2

0.7%

 NR

2

-