At the symposium, Fund senior vice president Cathy Schoen and vice president and International Program director Robin Osborn presented findings from the 2005 International Health Policy Survey. An article based on the findings was published as a Health Affairs Web Exclusive, which received extensive media coverage, including an article in the Washington Post and an op-ed in the New York Times. The six-nation survey focused on the experiences of adults with health problems, and for the first time included Germany, in addition to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. The U.K.-based Health Foundation and Germany's Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care provided cofunding for the survey.

The survey results reveal significant differences as well as strikingly similarities among the countries. Medical errors and failure to coordinate care, especially during transitions from one site of care to another, are problems shared by all six countries, as are missed opportunities to engage patients as partners in their care. Between one-fifth and one-third of adults across the six countries reported that a medical mistake, medication error, or lab test error had been made in their care in the past two years. Errors were reported most frequently in the U.S. and Canada, with the U.S. standing apart from the other nations for safety risks, inadequate coordination, inefficient care, financial burdens, and health care access or cost concerns.

Germany's comparatively strong showing in the survey suggests it is possible to provide universal health insurance coverage while simultaneously ensuring affordability of care and timely access to services.