Medical professional leader issues alarm over potential 'shortage crisis' in healthcare services - President issues alarm over critical "stock shortages"
The German healthcare system is on the brink of a supply crisis, warns Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association. Reinhardt expressed his concerns to the German Press Agency, stating that if reforms leading to increased efficiency are not implemented promptly, there will be impairments in the medical network for patients.
Reinhardt emphasized that the current system in Germany leaves patients responsible for organizing and coordinating their own care, with particularly vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, chronically ill, and those with lower health literacy, being affected. Germany has one of the highest rates of doctor contacts per capita worldwide, with 9.6 contacts per year.
A key solution to this issue, Reinhardt proposed, would be better steering in care, with patients registering with a general practice that would then coordinate further treatment. The topic of efficient care is also a major focus at this week's German Medical Congress in Leipzig, with new Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken (CDU), expected to attend.
However, the German Foundation for Patient Protection considers the proposed idea premature. The foundation's director, Eugen Brysch, argued that there needs to be efficient steering of outpatient practices before implementing patient registration, as doctors vary in the number of patients they care for and there are discrepancies in medical offerings between urban and rural areas. Brysch contends that the supply crisis is self-made.
In response, Reinhardt's model envisions a referral system by general practitioners only when further specialist treatment is necessary or expected. He advocates for the principle of "digital before outpatient before inpatient," starting with an assessment and consultation via digital means, followed by care in practices and, if needed, in clinics.
The German healthcare system is grappling with challenges beyond supply shortages, including financial strains on the statutory health insurance system and projected shortages of skilled workers in healthcare. Measures to address these issues include reshoring production of critical drugs and medical products, enhancing European Union-level initiatives, and implementing healthcare system reforms.
In the German healthcare system, there's a growing call for reforms to improve efficiency, as highlighted by Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association. Reinhardt suggests a focus on digital healthcare, vocational training in healthcare, and efficient steering of care as potential solutions to the supply crisis and other challenges, such as financial strains and skilled worker shortages. Additionally, the topic of health-and-wellness, particularly in relation to medical-conditions and the elderly, chronically ill, and those with lower health literacy, is a significant concern in the current system. Science and vocational training, specifically in healthcare, could play a crucial role in addressing these issues.
