Inefficiencies in the healthcare system put a strain on insured people and patients
02.03.2010 16:53
Specialist society calls for better supply management
In many countries people are healthier and live longer than in Germany. And all this with significantly lower costs in the health sector, according to figures from the OECD. In view of the announcement of additional contributions by numerous health insurance companies and the debate on prioritization that has flared up, the German Society for Citizen-Oriented Health Care (DGbG eV) has issued a statement calling for even more efficient use of resources in the health care system.
A study by the Rhenish-Westphalian Institute for Economic Research from 2009 suggests that the GKVs have financial reserves. And there are still numerous reasons that lead to unnecessary waste of resources to the detriment of insured persons and patients. This not only includes a concrete lobbyist structure in and around the healthcare system - combined with group selfishness in individual care areas. Also the persistent maintenance of inefficient structures and supply processes. The DGbG also criticizes the one-sided setting of priorities, e.g. B. in the case of drug discount agreements with the acceptance of adverse medical and economic consequences.
Costs of 15 to 20 billion euros arise annually due to a lack of adherence to therapy (non-compliance/adherence). For some common diseases, these are around 50 percent. This places the medical treatment results at considerable risk. In addition to the direct costs caused by discarded medication, unnecessary doctor visits, etc. Additional spending due to loss of quality of life, ability to work, patient dissatisfaction, etc. Currently, too little is being done to reduce these negative consequences of inadequate health management and thus combat the causes of wasteful spending. The health risk behavior of the population (malnutrition, obesity, alcohol abuse) is a “time bomb”.
According to the DGbG experts, it will probably lead to a significant increase in supply costs in the future. under the direction of the physician Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. hc. mult. Dieter Adam, Munich. Adam points out numerous sustainable opportunities for improvement in the healthcare system: promoting personal initiative with personal responsibility, health-conscious behavior among citizens through health education, health coaching and patient coaching. Furthermore, a paradigm shift from post-crash intervention to prevention is essential. Business, education, research, financial policy and urban planning are called upon to assume their share of responsibility for better health as part of a comprehensive political action strategy. The basis for all these measures must be supply research, which urgently needs funding, according to the specialist society.