Table 4 Advantages and disadvantages of different settings, patients’ and clinicians’ view

General practice

Yes

To improve patient education

Some patients do not have a pneumologist (not available or wanted)

For awareness among GPs of patients’ needs (What does the patient really need?)

To identify patients who should be seen by a pneumologist

Most frequent and close patient contact

Time should be taken to clarify unmet needs

No

Missing expertise of GPs

No time in everyday practice

Lack of willingness of GPs

Pneumological practice

Yes

High expertise of pneumologists

Frequent patient contact

More effective conversation management

Inquire about need/optimize therapy

To improve patient education

To control the success of the treatment

No

No time in everyday practice (structured practice procedures, High patient volume, economic pressure)

Some patients do not have a pneumologist (not available or wanted)

Disease Management Program (DMP)

Yes

Identification and evaluation of health care needs (Which needs exist before, which could be met afterwards?)

Provides sufficient time (staff and patients have more time, group meetings save time)

During training (group discussion)

Short two-way conversation with physician

No

Too structured (no room and time for flexibility)

Redundant (mentioned needs are addressed anyway)

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Yes

Provides content frame (education and practice, pulmonary rehabilitation staff get more information about patients)

Provides time frame (staff and patients have more time)

Identification and evaluation of health care needs (Which needs exist before, which could be met afterwards?)

Especially if diagnosis is recent

High expertise of training staff

No

Usually too late in medical history

No willingness among staff

Redundant (mentioned needs are addressed anyway)