Topic

Possible risks of EMF seen by German general practitioner

Start

01.10.2007

End

31.12.2008

Project Management

Universität Bielefeld

Objective

Aim of the research project was to assess the EMF risk perception of German general practitioners (GPs) by means of a systematic survey. GPs play an important role in primary health care. They serve as interface between science and laymen for the dissemination of recommendations for health relevant behaviour. It was investigated how EMF risks are perceived by doctors, which opinions they have on the role of electromagnetic fields in searching for causes for their patients’ health complaints, and which level of information and information demand the doctors show.

Results:

A 7 % random sample (N = 2.795) was drawn from all German GPs (about 40.000). Sampling was based on lists published online by the Regional Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. Two-third of the doctors (1.867) received a long version of a self administered questionnaire about EMF and health, which was answered by 435 GPs (response rate 23.3 %). One-third of the GPs (N = 928) received a short version which was send back by 456 GPs (response rate 49.1 %).

The knowledge checks about EMF showed very clear, that the knowledge of the GPs for this theme isn’t high. The results for the subjective level of information show, that most of the GPs self-rating is more or less low (in both questionnaires). Only 13,5 % of the interviewees know of opportunities for professional development concerning EMF risks, 57,6 % used it. 7,7 % of the GPs benefit of from information of the BfS. Over 70 % of the interviewees appreciate the BfS and WHO as reliable.

Two-third of the GPs declare that EMF was part of the dialog with patients as a possible cause for health disturbance, and this for more than one time. About the consultations from the last year the GPs declared, that in the median 3 patients per year consult them due to EMF-complains. Sources for the disturbances mentioned were mainly base stations and mobile phones.

In 72,3 % of the consultations the patients made the presumption of a relation between EMF and health complaints, in 5,8 % the GPs made the presumption by themselves and in 21,9 % both made the presumption. In 45,8 % of the consultations in which EMF is named as the reason for health disturbances a protection measure was suggested. The listed protections are in 25,2 % removing electrical appliances (39 times) and 15,5 % (24 times) relocation.

The review is available as PDF-file in German (534 KB).

Conclusion:

Two third of the interviewed GPs reported that on the average three patients per year consult them with EMF-complaints. In the annually surveys of the “Institut für angewandte Sozialwissenschaft” (Infas, http://www.emf-forschungsprogramm.de/forschung/risikokommunikation/risikokommunikation_abges/risiko_021.html) about 9 % of the German population describe themselves as health impaired by EMF. That’s why this phenomenon shouldn’t be underestimated.

A substantial part of the GPs showed a very high risk perception of EMF as compared to the current scientific risk assessment. This is due to the self-described low information-level of the GPs. Therefore and because recommendations of the GPs sometimes have considerable consequences for the patients, the GPs need better information about the actual scientific risk assessment concerning EMF by target group specific means.

In conclusion, BfS will use this information for a targeted information-campaign for GPs.