Table 3. Patients’ free-text responses to questions about the desired qualities of health care providers (translated into English by the authors).

Category	Example responses	n
Accessibility	“In urgent cases also be accessible at short notice” “That you can reach him easily on the phone” “Contact my physician by email to ask important questions”	9
Cooperation/ responsibility of physicians	“Have a maximum of 2 physicians as my main contacts and not…be taken care of by a whole group” “Coordinate care for an individual patient with other physicians, jointly discuss the further approach to treatment” “Better collaboration with other treating physicians (family physician, other specialists)”	9
Individual care/ treatment concept	“Analysis of individual solutions that were developed by patients” “Don’t always recommend surgery straight away, just because it brings money” “Physicians need more freedom to treat patients in the way that’s best for them and not in the way that the health insurance companies determine” “Listen to the patients‘ suggestions … search together for solutions”	8
Shorter wait times, more time for patients	“I wish there was more time for each patient.” “That you can get an appointment sooner when you’re not feeling well, and you don‘t have to wait for hours.”	7
Taking patients seriously	“The feeling of being understood and taken seriously” “The physician should also respect me and not treat me like a hypochondriac”	3
Considers other illnesses	“That he also considers my other illnesses” “See the whole issue of CIBD [chronic inflammatory bowel disease] and not just limited to the intestines”	2
Work atmosphere	“Good working atmosphere in the practice” “That he wasn’t dependent on moods”	2
New/alternative treatment methods	“Knowledge of new treatment methods” “Not only be interested in conventional medicine but also in things like acupuncture, kinesiology, etc.”	2
Acceptance	“Physician that gives me the feeling I’m not a hopeless case …” “That my physicians doesn’t treat me like a ‘hopeless case’ but rather as a ‘normal’ patient”	2
No wishes	“None, everything very good.“” “I’m very satisfied.”	2
Miscellaneous	“Parking spaces nearby” “More privacy in hospital”	9