[Hospital 2030-What must change]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Economics
• Hospital Administration

Context:

• German hospital sector faces declining bed numbers and shorter patient stays over 30 years.
• Despite these changes, overall system efficiency remains suboptimal.
• Analysis based on official statistics, literature review, and expert recommendations.

Purpose:

• To identify causes of inefficiency in the German hospital system.
• To propose approaches for comprehensive hospital reform.
• To address structural underfunding and suboptimal service provision.

Summary:

• Regulatory conflicts between hospital planning and financing cause underfunding.
• Inpatient-focused remuneration systems perpetuate inefficient treatment models.
• High hospital density exacerbates specialist shortages and hinders digitalization.

Impact:

• Reducing hospital numbers and increasing specialization can improve patient care quality.
• Specialized training and differentiated financing are crucial for addressing personnel shortages.
• Digitalization is essential for modernizing workflows, improving economic efficiency, and enhancing workplace conditions.