Adjustments in medical care. Current status

The current status of the on-going implementation of planned changes in the medical care offered by the German statutory accident insurance (DGUV) is presented. The establishment of a multi-stage authorised medical examinations process is planned for the out-patient sector (D-Arzt-Verfahren). With the entry into force of this modified medical examinations process, no new assistant physicians (H-Arzte) will be approved; for assistant physicians already accredited, a transitional period of 5 years applies. The new procedures in the out-patient sector should be implemented nationwide from summer 2010 at the latest. The formation of German Social Code VII trauma networks is planned within the in-patient sector. In order to adjust to the DGUV's total national requirement of approximately 300 hospitals approved for injury typing procedures (VAV: Verletzungsartenverfahren), including the 60-80 trauma networks, the number of hospitals currently performing injury typing procedures will need to be reduced. The impending shortage of care in certain areas of the country will be counteracted with exemptions.