Health system needs to refocus on patients

Neuruppin, 8 August 2024

Once again we see much discontent and agitation in our health system. Many people hope that the reforms initiated by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach will at long last result in improvements and a recovery of the ailing system of health care.  

Prof. Dr. Edmund Neugebauer, former president of the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB), and Dr. Dr. Klaus Piwernetz (co-author of their book “Strategiewechsel jetzt!” and directer of the medimaxx health management GmbH based in Munich) have published an article in the specialist journal “Monitor Versorgungsforschung”. The paper addresses dysfunctional sections of the health system and describes constructive ways out of the current impasse.  

According to the authors, both of them specialists in the field, almost all experts are agreed that the German health system is stretched to its limits and requires comprehensive revisions: “Insured persons and taxpayers spend a lot of money on health care but do not always receive top services in return.”

The articles describes well-known deficits in the health system and goes on to analyze the reasons why Germany does not manage to ensure a truly up-to-date, efficient and adaptive system of health provision, despite excellent contentual, structural and financial conditions.

The authors identify dysfunctional structures as major stumbling blocks affecting potential development: individuals acting within the system are under pressure to first pursue their own interest-based perspectives before they attend to patients’ needs.

In this passionate plea, the authors do not apportion individual blame. Rather, they illustrate how officials in politics, administration and health care services act rationally in accordance with the scheme logic of their respective political, social or entrepreneurial contexts. What is needed to dissolve blockages in decision-making is a political will and forethought beyond parliamentary terms. A first step in this direction would be to pass binding targets in health provision.     

A fundamental change in perspective and in paradigms is necessary. Key mechanisms and control elements would have to be thoroughly revised if patient benefit were to become the actual focus of the health system. In other words: tremendous changes that require lots of courage!

For the complete article click here.

Scientific contact:
Prof. Edmund A.M. Neugebauer
Former MHB president and director
Senior professor of health services research
E-Mail: edmund.neugebauer@mhb-fontane.de