Encouraging specialized medical consultations via incentives?
The German government, in a collaborative effort by the Union and SPD, has announced plans to introduce a binding system that prioritises general practitioners (GPs) as the primary point of contact for patients, who can then be referred to specialists as needed. This change aims to improve the coordination of medications for older individuals, who often require more medical attention due to the prevalence of chronic illnesses.
Markus Beier, co-chair of the German Association of General Practitioners, has highlighted the effects of demographic change on practices, noting an increase in the number of doctor's appointments necessary for older individuals. Nicola Buhlinger-Goepfarth, his counterpart, has referred to existing GP programs with health insurers as a potential benefit for the proposed system.
The focus of this new healthcare approach is also on further digitalization in the healthcare system. The agreed system guarantees a certain timeframe for specialist appointments, ensuring that patients receive timely care. However, it's important to note that the new system cannot be introduced overnight. Warken, the Federal Health Minister, states that structures need to be put in place to prevent GPs from becoming a bottleneck.
The German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung) have expressed their support for the coalition's plans. Prerequisites for implementation include ensuring sufficient availability of family doctors and establishing appropriate digital infrastructure.
However, concerns have been raised about insufficient numbers of GPs, pharmacies offering medical services, and functional digitalization. The German Foundation for Patient Protection has warned about these potential issues, emphasising the need for careful planning and implementation.
Pharmacies are expected to play a larger role in the new health care system. If an appointment within the guaranteed timeframe cannot be made at a practice, patients should have the option to be treated by a specialist or in a hospital. Federal Health Minister Nina Warken is considering financial incentives to achieve more targeted access to specialist appointments.
Mistakes must be addressed before a mandatory first-GP rule can be introduced, according to board member Eugen Brysch. The older, chronically ill people could particularly benefit from this model proposed by the coalition. Overall, the goal is to improve the healthcare system, making it more efficient and effective for all Germans.
