[Inpatient rheumatology treatment in Germany].

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Healthcare Management
• Hospital Administration

Context:

• Acute inpatient treatment is crucial for rheumatic diseases in Germany.
• Inpatient facilities include general hospital departments and specialized clinics.
• The diagnosis-related groups (DRG) system has influenced healthcare structures, leading to shorter hospital stays.

Purpose:

• To analyze the current state of acute inpatient care for rheumatic diseases in Germany.
• To identify challenges and changes in the provision of rheumatological care.
• To examine the impact of healthcare policies on inpatient and outpatient services.

Summary:

• Rheumatic patients often receive care in general hospitals due to a scarcity of specialized rheumatology clinics.
• Medical schools have insufficient rheumatology departments, contributing to a limited number of specialists.
• Rheumatologists in hospitals also manage outpatient care, leading to a decline in licensed internal medicine rheumatologists.

Impact:

• Governmental regulations (§116b) have expanded outpatient treatment options within hospitals.
• The implementation of new outpatient specialist medical care (ASV) is anticipated to bring further changes.
• Addressing the shortage of rheumatology specialists and optimizing inpatient/outpatient integration are critical for improving rheumatic disease care.