Awareness and Relevance of EMAH Certification in Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease: Results of a Nationwide Online Survey

Background: The EMAH certification is awarded by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) and certifies highly qualified and comprehensive care for adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) provided by the treating physician. Physicians with EMAH certification play an important role in the transition from adolescence to adulthood and should be considered in terms of differentiated care research.

Methods: We surveyed 1,486 individuals aged 18 to 85 (average age = 36.84 years; 60.8% female) with CHD online on adherence, illness perception, and doctor–patient relationship. Participants were recruited from the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects (NRCHD). The following descriptive analyses provide insight into the awareness and relevance of EMAH certification in ACHD patients. The chi-square test was used for group comparisons.

Results: Of the ACHD, 61.8% were primarily treated for their CHD at a university hospital/heart center, 10.6% by a pediatric cardiologist in private practice, 20.8% by a cardiologist in private practice, 4.8% by their family doctor, 0.3% by another doctor, and 1.6% did not know who primarily treated their CHD. When asked whether the main treating/care physician is EMAH-certified, 47.9% answered “yes” (Group A), 7.2% answered “no,” and 44.9% answered “I don’t know” (Group B; 52.1%). A comparison of both groups shows a significant difference with regard to the attending physician (p < 0.001): Group A 79.1% versus Group B 46% university hospital/heart center, Group A 14% versus Group B 7.5% pediatric cardiologist in private practice, Group A 6.3% versus Group B 34.1% cardiologist in private practice, Group A 0.5% versus Group B 12.4% family doctor/other doctor/treating physician unknown. Overall, just over half of all 1,486 ACHD (54.7%) stated that they knew what EMAH-certified meant.

Conclusion: The results show that the majority of ACHD respondents are treated in specialized facilities such as university hospitals or cardiac centers, particularly those whose treating physician is EMAH-certified. However, awareness of EMAH certification is not universal among patients; only just over half of those surveyed knew what EMAH certification means. There is a need for increased education of ACHD patients about the importance and benefits of EMAH certification to ensure optimal care.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 February 2025