Association Head Warns of Impending 'Shortage' in Medical Supplies - Impending Shortage of Resources: President's Alarming Statement
Germany faces a looming crisis in its healthcare system, according to Klaus Reinhardt, president of the German Medical Association. Reinhardt issued a stark warning that if reforms to increase efficiency aren't implemented promptly, the medical network will struggle to meet patient needs.
Speaking to the German Press Agency, Reinhardt stated, "Our healthcare system is careening towards a supply crisis if we don't act decisively." He emphasized that improved steering in care is essential, suggesting that patients should register with a family doctor's practice, which would then coordinate further treatment.
The topic of efficient care will be discussed at the German Medical Assembly starting this Tuesday in Leipzig. Newly appointed Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken (CDU), is anticipated to attend.
Reinhardt explained that the current system leaves patients largely responsible for organizing and coordinating their care. The elderly, chronically ill, and those with lower health literacy are particularly affected, he noted. Germany records one of the highest rates of doctor contacts per capita globally, averaging 9.6 per year, with some regions reporting an average of two family doctors for every second person.
Reinhardt's proposals align with measures outlined in the coalition agreement, which aim to introduce a system where patients primarily visit a family doctor's practice and are referred to specialists as needed.
Patient advocates, however, view the potential crisis as self-inflicted. The German Foundation for Patient Protection is critical of the emphasis on patient steering, failing to address contractually guaranteed weekly 25 hours of presence for insured patients, and neglecting to check telephone availability.
Eugen Brysch, the foundation's director, argued that efficient steering of outpatient practices is a priority. He pointed out discrepancies in patient loads, with some doctors managing more than 2,000 patients while others care for fewer than half that number. Urban areas are over-supplied, while rural areas, home to 60% of the population, lack sufficient medical services, according to Brysch.
Reinhardt's model for referral by family doctors would not serve as a gatekeeping mechanism, he explained, but would only be implemented when further specialist treatment is necessary or anticipated. Over the long term, Reinhardt advocates for the use of the "digital before outpatient before inpatient" principle, which would involve initial assessment and advice via digital means before care in practices or hospitals.
Relevant enrichment data suggests solutions to address the potential supply crisis include:
- Reinstating retired doctors
- Efficiency reforms, such as streamlining patient visits
- Workforce management
- Training and recruitment of new medical professionals
- Implementing digital health technologies
- Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals
These strategies aim to both alleviate the immediate crisis and work towards sustainable solutions that improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare in Germany.
- To address the looming crisis in the healthcare system, reinforced by Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association, European Community (EC) countries might consider vocational training programs for more medical professionals to increase the workforce.
- As part of the general news and policy-and-legislation discussions, science and medical-conditions skew heavily towards healthcare, with healthcare reforms such as those proposed by Reinhardt focusing on improving steering in care and implementing a family doctor-centric system.
- In the context of health-and-wellness and patient advocacy, Eugen Brysch, the director of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, emphasizes the need for efficient steering of outpatient practices and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals as sustainable solutions to the potential supply crisis.
