General practitioners' association, MEDI Baden-Württemberg and BVKJ sign consensus paper

11.11.2010 17:05

General practitioners and pediatricians end dispute over HZV care

General Practitioners Association Baden-Württemberg, MEDI Baden-Württemberg and the Professional Association of Pediatricians and Adolescents (BVKJ) have agreed on a common approach to dealing with family doctor-centered care (HZV). The process was moderated by the Ministry of Social Affairs in Stuttgart. The consensus paper that will be published shortly confirms that the health status of children and young people in Baden-Württemberg is very good compared nationally and internationally. That is why successful dual care is being maintained. The paper also contains a mutual obligation to treat each other fairly - especially in the area of information and advice on enrolling in the HZV contracts.

With the consensus paper, the signatories recognize the very good care situation in the country as a core result, which is based on the practice of dual care for children and young people. It was also specified that “the care of children and adolescents by pediatric and adolescent medicine doctors is the norm in regions with a high population density”. On the other hand, it was officially stated that there could be a lower density of pediatric and adolescent physicians in some areas, so that sole and comprehensive care for children and adolescents cannot be guaranteed without the involvement of family doctors. “Especially in rural areas, general practitioners use their knowledge to ensure the everyday care of many children and young people,” says the consensus paper.

With regard to the HZV contracts, it is important to the signatories that “the children and young people, or their parents, can make their own decision, freely and based on fair information, about which doctor they should see” and whether they should enroll in a HZV -want to enroll in the contract. Therefore, biased information and advice should be avoided on both sides in the future.

The MEDI chairman Dr. Werner Baumgärtner and Dr. Bertholt Dietsche, Chairman of the Baden-Württemberg General Practitioners Association, welcomed the consensus agreement. “We are pleased that we were finally able to resolve this counterproductive dispute, which jeopardized internal medical peace,” explained Baumgärtner. He hopes that the agreement will give the HZV further impetus in the pediatric area. “This is a clear signal and I am confident that in the future even more pediatric and adolescent physicians will decide to voluntarily join the attractive HZV contracts than before,” added Dietsche.

November 11, 2010