BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The social association VdK advocates better orientation for appointments with general practitioners and specialists, but warns of new sanctions for patients. “Those who seek help need help, not punishment,” said President Verena Bentele. “The cause of too many doctor contacts is not a mass practice of ‘doctor hopping’, but rather a system geared towards profit maximization that is poorly coordinated.” Patients are often sent from practice to practice until they receive a diagnosis or treatment.
Bentele said: “When patients are guided through the system, they feel safer and incorrect care goes down.” This requires a patient-friendly approach, home visits, cooperation between the healthcare professions and practical coordination.
Coalition is planning more targeted appointments
The VdK President spoke about a reform for faster specialist appointments at an opening meeting between Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) and industry players. The black-red coalition wants to introduce a mandatory primary doctor system in which patients first (primarily) go to a family doctor’s practice, which will refer them to specialists if necessary – and with an appointment within a certain period of time. The focus is also on an online-supported assessment of complaints before visits to the practice.
The German Foundation for Patient Protection warned that the plans would lead Germany to “outpatient medical care chaos”. The minister also had no answer to the question of how people with no digital experience should be integrated, criticized board member Eugen Brysch./sam/DP/mis
Selected leveraged products on AstraZeneca
With knock-outs, speculative investors can participate disproportionately in price movements. Simply select the lever you want and we will show you suitable open-end products on AstraZeneca
The leverage must be between 2 and 20
Advertising
