Hospital.Help

Berlin – In view of the break in the traffic light government, the Hartmannbund is addressing a future government with a series of fundamental demands. Among other things, the association advocates the introduction of a primary doctor system to control patient journeys, as can be seen from a position paper published today.

A more efficient use of existing resources is described as essential. The health system requires coordinated use of care services by patients in order to address the discrepancy between limited availability of services and resources and increasing need for treatment, the paper says.

Among other things, the chairman of the Hartmannbund, Klaus Reinhardt, had already emphasized yesterday that the current “self-service shop” cannot remain in supply. The German medical journal reported.

The delegates adopted the declaration against the background of the looming new elections in Germany and the uncertain future of several current health policy bills. The agenda, which originally provided for resolutions on these laws, was therefore changed. According to the Hartmannbund, the assembly also agreed on the point “that a rapid restoration of political ability to act is urgently necessary in view of the acute challenges”.

On Friday, the highest committee of the Hartmannbund dealt with questions of patient coordination with experts from different areas. The title of the agenda item was: “Disorientated through the jungle of care – How much longer can we afford uncontrolled patients?”

The development that has so far been particularly criticized is that many patients visit several general practitioners and specialists at the same time. However, given the relatively high costs of health care in Germany, less good results are achieved compared to other countries.

The existing control system does not work in the right places, said health economist Leonie Sundmacher, member of the Advisory Council for Health and Care (SVR), in Berlin. In a report this spring, the SVR recommended, among other things, the establishment of a primary doctor system, for example to avoid oversupply.

At that time, the committee referred to other states with such systems that were designed differently. As a rule, they are identified by family doctors as the first point of contact. “If the indication is appropriate, a referral is necessary for specialist treatment.”

The advantages include that all information about a person is brought together in one place and that additional levels of care are used depending on medical necessity. “The advantages have been widely documented in international literature,” the SVR noted.

The Hartmannbund wrote about the design that it should be a simple system that is easy for patients to understand. “The care landscape of the future will also require accessible outpatient basic and specialist medical care – possibly on the basis of financial incentive systems.”

In their key issues paper, the delegates also highlighted the need for hospital reform. “Hospitals in Germany need long-term planning and secure financial conditions.”

They also write that artificial intelligence (AI) will revolutionize healthcare in the coming years. However, it can only support medical action, it should not replace it. AI could increase the efficiency of many processes, as well as the required “massive de-bureaucratization at all levels of the health system”.

With regard to the issue of fees, the Hartmannbund states: “The full remuneration of all medical services provided is the basis for ensuring high-quality patient care in the future.” © ggr/aerzteblatt.de