120th German Medical Congress: Balance and outlook before the election

of the President of the Federal Chamber of Freedom Insurance ">

Prof. Dr. med. Frank Ulrich Montgomery, used the opening of the Doctors 'Day to reinforce the doctors' positions and demands.

The prelude was the overture from Mozart's opera “La Clemenza di Tito”. Mildness and magnanimity also characterize the relationship between the medical profession and the Federal Minister of Health, who took part in the opening of German Medical Conference for the fourth time. The President of the German Medical Association (BÄK), Prof. Dr. med. Frank Ulrich Montgomery, used the presence of Hermann Gröhe (CDU) to reaffirm the doctors' positions and demands in the election year.

Much agreement, much applause: Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (3rd from left) took part in the opening of German Medical Congress for the fourth time. Photos: Jürgen Gebhardt

Montgomery urgently warned against the introduction of citizens' insurance, such as the SPD advocates. A uniform insurance for all citizens is “the turbo charger of real two-class medicine”, said Montgomery on May 23 in front of around 1,000 delegates and guests in the concert hall in Freiburg. "It creates and promotes injustice rather than preventing it," said Montgomery. If it did, there would immediately be huge market for additional health services and additional insurance. “Anyone who thinks that uniform insurance is more just than our current system is mistaking equality at low level for justice,” warned the BÄK President. In the German health care system, there are differences in convenience due to the different fee levels between statutory and private health insurance. On the other hand, there are no quality differences in medical treatment depending on the insurance status. The German healthcare system is still one of the best in the world, said Montgomery. In an international comparison, it has the lowest access thresholds for all services.

Montgomery also referred to the election test stones that the BÄK had recently presented. The main points are the preservation of the free choice of doctor as well as the medical freelance. This means that not only doctors in their own practice, but also employed doctors act medically independently of instructions from third parties. The BÄK also advocates effective medical self-administration.

of the President of the Federal Chamber of Freedom Insurance ">

Prof. Dr. med. Frank Ulrich Montgomery, used the opening of the Doctors 'Day to reinforce the doctors' positions and demands.

The prelude was the overture from Mozart's opera “La Clemenza di Tito”. Mildness and magnanimity also characterize the relationship between the medical profession and the Federal Minister of Health, who took part in the opening of German Medical Conference for the fourth time. The President of the German Medical Association (BÄK), Prof. Dr. med. Frank Ulrich Montgomery, used the presence of Hermann Gröhe (CDU) to reaffirm the doctors' positions and demands in the election year.

Much agreement, much applause: Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (3rd from left) took part in the opening of German Medical Congress for the fourth time. Photos: Jürgen Gebhardt

Montgomery urgently warned against the introduction of citizens' insurance, such as the SPD advocates. A uniform insurance for all citizens is “the turbo charger of real two-class medicine”, said Montgomery on May 23 in front of around 1,000 delegates and guests in the concert hall in Freiburg. "It creates and promotes injustice rather than preventing it," said Montgomery. If it did, there would immediately be huge market for additional health services and additional insurance. “Anyone who thinks that uniform insurance is more just than our current system is mistaking equality at low level for justice,” warned the BÄK President. In the German health care system, there are differences in convenience due to the different fee levels between statutory and private health insurance. On the other hand, there are no quality differences in medical treatment depending on the insurance status. The German healthcare system is still one of the best in the world, said Montgomery. In an international comparison, it has the lowest access thresholds for all services.

Montgomery also referred to the election test stones that the BÄK had recently presented. The main points are the preservation of the free choice of doctor as well as the medical freelance. This means that not only doctors in their own practice, but also employed doctors act medically independently of instructions from third parties. The BÄK also advocates effective medical self-administration.Montgomery explained that this is decisive factor in ensuring the quality and professionalism of the medical profession, and at the same time the best way to incorporate medical expertise into the further development of the health care system.

In this context, he sharply criticized that Dr . med. Regina Klakow-Franck, the only doctor among the three impartial members of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), is not intended for another term, but is to be exchanged for the lawyer and former FDP member of the Bundestag Lars Lindemann. The President of the BÄK appealed to the minister and the other members of the Bundestag to use their influence and expertise in the legally required confirmation of the referees and to prevent this change.

A lot of agreement, lots of applause: Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (3rd from left) took part in the opening of German Medical Conference for the fourth time. Photos: Jürgen Gebhardt

In addition to the rapid implementation of the reform of medical studies, other health policy demands of the BÄK also include change in the financing of further training places in outpatient care. Continuing education is professional activity from day one and, unlike studying, is not training course, Montgomery emphasized: “That is why at least the same collective bargaining conditions must apply to outpatient training as in hospitals, and the financing of outpatient medical training must be regulated by law as remuneration for medical services . ”

Montgomery urged an end to the investment backlog in hospitals, which now amounts to 27 to 30 billion euros. At the same time he criticized the increasing economization of the health system. The competition was - despite all the promises to be made about the quality competition - almost exclusively based on price. In the clinics, the ability to generate economic results was more important than medical performance. There is risk that the medical indication will be optimized for economic reasons. Under the conditions of health system financed by solidarity, the most economical use of the limited financial resources possible is not only an economic but also professional ethical imperative. “What is efficient for business graduates doesn't have to be efficient for patients,” said Montgomery. If the indication for diagnosis and therapy is optimized for economic reasons, there will be fundamental disruptions in the relationship of trust between doctor and patient.Montgomery explained that this is decisive factor in ensuring the quality and professionalism of the medical profession, and at the same time the best way to incorporate medical expertise into the further development of the health care system.

In this context, he sharply criticized that Dr . med. Regina Klakow-Franck, the only doctor among the three impartial members of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), is not intended for another term, but is to be exchanged for the lawyer and former FDP member of the Bundestag Lars Lindemann. The President of the BÄK appealed to the minister and the other members of the Bundestag to use their influence and expertise in the legally required confirmation of the referees and to prevent this change.

A lot of agreement, lots of applause: Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (3rd from left) took part in the opening of German Medical Conference for the fourth time. Photos: Jürgen Gebhardt

In addition to the rapid implementation of the reform of medical studies, other health policy demands of the BÄK also include change in the financing of further training places in outpatient care. Continuing education is professional activity from day one and, unlike studying, is not training course, Montgomery emphasized: “That is why at least the same collective bargaining conditions must apply to outpatient training as in hospitals, and the financing of outpatient medical training must be regulated by law as remuneration for medical services . ”

Montgomery urged an end to the investment backlog in hospitals, which now amounts to 27 to 30 billion euros. At the same time he criticized the increasing economization of the health system. The competition was - despite all the promises to be made about the quality competition - almost exclusively based on price. In the clinics, the ability to generate economic results was more important than medical performance. There is risk that the medical indication will be optimized for economic reasons. Under the conditions of health system financed by solidarity, the most economical use of the limited financial resources possible is not only an economic but also professional ethical imperative. “What is efficient for business graduates doesn't have to be efficient for patients,” said Montgomery. If the indication for diagnosis and therapy is optimized for economic reasons, there will be fundamental disruptions in the relationship of trust between doctor and patient.“Doctors must not be made vicarious agents for economic optimization strategies,” warned the BÄK President. The health care system needs competitive regime that recognizes possible collateral effects on the insured person and everyone involved in the care in good time.

The downside of medical companies that are trimmed for economic success are too few staff, too long working hours, poor organization, overcrowded Emergency departments and too much bureaucracy. It is therefore to be welcomed that the federal government is taking countermeasures here and is planning lower staffing levels for care. However, that alone is not enough. Lower limits are necessary for the entire staff, including the medical service.

Opening ceremony of the 120th German Medical Association

In the dispute over emergency care between hospitals and resident doctors, Montgomery offered the BÄK as an intermediary. It is conceivable to convene round table there, at which doctors from the clinic and practice, the German Hospital Association and the payers could develop joint solution. The fact that more and more patients are using the emergency rooms of the hospitals, although they could just as easily be cared for by resident doctor, was also an issue at the general assembly of the Marburger Bund and the representative assembly of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, which took place in advance of the German Medical Association Freiburg had taken place.png ">