Personal Assistance: „Most People Do not Benefit from the New Law“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[08/12/2009] Staying in the hospital is anything but comfortable, even for people without handicap. For disabled people, who need a personal assistant, it is more than that. In the worst case, it could be life-threatening as many hospitals are not prepared for the special patients and the nursing staff is often unable to cope. A new law in Germany is to produce relief.  Personal Assistance: „Most People Do not Benefit from the New Law“ - read more

AGnES Project: „There Is Sufficient Work For Everybody“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[09/11/2009] The problem in Germany is that in many rural regions a lack of doctors persists. The solution may be that mobile assistants relieve general practitioners by rendering home visits on the doctor's behalf. The idea was realised successfully, received a lot of criticism – and has been part of general care for six months.  AGnES Project: „There Is Sufficient Work For Everybody“ - read more

People with a Learning Disability: "A Lack of Expert Knowledge Prevents Right Treatment“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/10/2009] In Germany, people normally relate the occurrence of a 2-class system in healthcare to the different treatment of patients with a statutory health insurance and a private health insurance. But there is more to it. Another 2-class system exists concerned with medical treatment of people with a learning disability compared to those without. People with a Learning Disability: "A Lack of Expert Knowledge Prevents Right Treatment“ - read more

Special Organ Donation Tasks: „They Are not less Important for Saving Human Lives“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[08/10/2009] 80 per cent of all Germans would donate organs after their death, but only 17 per cent possess an organ donation pass with the consequence that kidney, heart and liver for transplants are scarce goods.  Special Organ Donation Tasks: „They Are not less Important for Saving Human Lives“ - read more

Advance Directive: „The Basic Problem Remains“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[07/09/2009] Self-determination is important to most people - also when approaching the end of their lives. Up to now, it has not always been clear whether an advance directive is absolutely valid when being challenged. A new law coming into effect on 1st September is supposed to establish legal clarity - and to strengthen the patient's wishes.  Advance Directive: „The Basic Problem Remains“ - read more

Health Fund: “Health Insurance Companies Are Frozen because of Additional Fees like a Deer Caught in Headlights”

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[21/08/2009] The highly controversial health fund was established on January first. Seven months later experts believe that the fund will show a deficit of about four billion euros by the end of the year.  Health Fund: “Health Insurance Companies Are Frozen because of Additional Fees like a Deer Caught in Headlights” - read more

Swine Flu Vaccination: „We Do Not Expect Heavy Side-Effects“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[10/08/2009] More and more people contract the swine flu virus every day. In Germany, over 9000 patients have been registered until now. Thus, over 25 million Germans are supposed to be vaccinated this autumn. However, critics worry about potential side-effects.  Swine Flu Vaccination: „We Do Not Expect Heavy Side-Effects“ - read more

Rating Physicians: „As if a Pedestrian Should Judge a Car Driving Past“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/07/2009] Teachers and lecturers, but also hotels and restaurants – a lot of persons and objects can be rated via internet. As from 2010, physicians may be next in line since the German health insurance company AOK wants to install a rating portal. Critics fear that doctors could be in the digital pillory that way.  Rating Physicians: „As if a Pedestrian Should Judge a Car Driving Past“ - read more

Rating Physicians: „We Need to Prevent Conditions like those on American Idol”

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[08/07/2009] Teachers and lecturers, but also hotels and restaurants – a lot of persons and things can be rated via internet. As from 2010 physicians may be next in line since the German health insurance company AOK wants to install a rating portal. Supporters see many advantages for patients in such a website.  Rating Physicians: „We Need to Prevent Conditions like those on American Idol” - read more

Surgical Checklists: „It Is Too Early to Pass a Law“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[08/04/2009] Surgeons at Helios Kliniken in Germany use a checklist during surgery since 1 April. The WHO developed the surgical safety checklist which is to lead doctors and nurses through the surgery process systematically. By using the checklist surgery should get more safety.  Surgical Checklists: „It Is Too Early to Pass a Law“ - read more

Mental Diseases: „We Pay Much More Attention to Them Than Before“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[09/03/2009] In the year 2020, mental diseases might be the second widespread illness, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). They rank among the most expensive illnesses. The health system and the economy have to shoulder this.  Mental Diseases: „We Pay Much More Attention to Them Than Before“ - read more

Unpublished Study Results: „More Americans Died Than In The Vietnam War“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[09/02/2009] Even though negative study results are as important as positive ones for researchers and physicians, they are published much less frequently. It is the patients who bear the partly serious consequences. Unpublished Study Results: „More Americans Died Than In The Vietnam War“ - read more

Physicians on the Countryside: „If Nothing Changes We Are at the Beginning of a Supply Problem“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/01/2009] Ten years ago in Germany, laws aimed to avert a physician surplus. Now, the tide has turned –especially in many rural areas it has become difficult to find successors for practices of retiring physicians. The situation is so tense that 68-year-old doctors now do not have to return their license which means: physicians work as long as they consider it appropriate. Physicians on the Countryside: „If Nothing Changes We Are at the Beginning of a Supply Problem“ - read more

US Election: “Health Care Already Is a Real Economic Problem”

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/10/2008] The fate of millions of uninsured people will be impacted by the US election on November 4. The health system is one of the running election campaign’s main issues. The Democrat Barack Obama and the Republican John McCain pursue different approaches to long existing health insurance problems in the States.  US Election: “Health Care Already Is a Real Economic Problem” - read more

Health Regions: „Sick Room Should Rather Look Like a Hotel Room“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[15/09/2008] Germany gets older and older, health care becomes more and more expensive – new structures in care are needed. This is why the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has tendered the competition „health region of the future“. The aim: regions should elaborate their strengths and thus lead to new concepts in health economy. The best ones will be promoted from 2009 onwards.  Health Regions: „Sick Room Should Rather Look Like a Hotel Room“ - read more