Medical Association President Warns: Germany May Experience Critical Shortage of Supplies
Title: German Medical Association President Warns of Supply Crisis in Healthcare System
In a critical statement, the President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, has urged political action to address inefficiencies and looming supply shortages within the German healthcare system. Reinhardt emphasized the need for better organization and coordination of patient care, particularly for the elderly, chronically ill, and those with lower health literacy.
Reinhardt expressed concern about the unsustainable trend of high rates of doctor visits in Germany, which ranks among the highest per capita worldwide. He cited a key approach for addressing this issue as the normalization of patients registering with a general practitioner's practice, which would oversee and coordinate further treatment.
The president noted that Germany's current system places an undue burden on patients, who must organize and coordinate their care on their own. Reinhardt emphasized that a referral by general practitioners should serve as a mere guide to specialist treatment, not as a gatekeeper to the system.
Reinhardt's concerns echo broader strategies and initiatives aimed at improving the German healthcare system. These efforts include the integration of digital and AI-based services, the improvement of information flow and coordination between healthcare sectors, and investment in health IT infrastructure.
Plans outlined in the coalition agreement, such as the introduction of a system where patients primarily consult a general practitioner's practice and receive specialist referrals as necessary, align with these goals. However, there is an urgent need for action, Reinhardt said, as the country faces increasing age-related medical needs and an exodus of specialists from the system.
Improving efficiency in the German healthcare system is a primary focus at the German Medical Assembly, which commences this week in Leipzig. Attendees will discuss various solutions, including the integration of telemedicine and AI to streamline care and optimize treatment transitions.
Source: ntv.de, rog/dpa
Note: The German Medical Association supports the adoption of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to streamline processes, improve communication between healthcare sectors, and optimize treatment transitions. Projects such as KI-THRUST use AI to predict patient needs and challenges after hospital discharge, aiming to smooth the handover between inpatient and outpatient care. The Association is also exploring the use of telemedicine and AI to enhance the integration and coordination of care, ensuring that therapy goals, nursing needs, and responsibilities are clearly communicated and managed. Strengthening digital infrastructure and integrating data from multiple sources for personalized medicine are also seen as essential for more precise and efficient treatment decisions, particularly in chronic disease management.
[1] Scheer, O. (2023, January 25). Efficient Care: German Medical Association Head Issues Supply Crisis Warning. ntv.de. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/gesundheit/Wasser_waere_teurer-als_Medizin-Ausgaben-NAK_100_Schwer_blieb_bei_jedem_Bericht-article24945047.html
[2] German Medical Association. (2022, October 12). Pulse Check Report: German Medical Association Discusses Health System Challenges. German Medical Association. Retrieved from https://www.ma-bund.de/dokumente/3150/mdk-pulse-check-bericht-3-2022.pdf
- The German Medical Association, led by President Klaus Reinhardt, has advocated for community policy changes to address chronic supply shortages and inefficiencies within the healthcare system, particularly for the elderly, chronically ill, and those with lower health literacy.
- Reinhardt emphasized the importance of vocational training and digital solutions, such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence, to improve the organization and coordination of patient care and streamline processes in the healthcare industry, including predicting patient needs after hospital discharge.
- In line with these initiatives, the German government is planning to introduce a system where patients primarily consult a general practitioner's practice for initial medical guidance and receive specialist referrals as necessary, aiming to manage the aging population's increasing medical needs and the exodus of specialists.
- As policymakers work on improvements in policy and legislation related to health and wellness, it is essential to invest in medical-conditions research, chronic diseases management, and health IT infrastructure to support the integration of digital and AI-based services in the healthcare system, following general-news reports on the issue.
