SRH Hospital Sigmaringen Expands Outpatient Cancer Care
SRH Hospital Sigmaringen has recently expanded its outpatient services, with Dr. Julia Weber and Dr. Michael Braun now authorized to treat cancer patients. This move aligns with health policy aims to shift more treatments to outpatient settings, potentially reducing costs. However, the transition to more outpatient care presents challenges for hospitals, as seen in the case of Dr. Jan Prillinger's departure.
Dr. Jan Prillinger, a cardiologist, has been overseeing the care of patients with pacemakers and defibrillators at Sigmaringen hospital. However, he will cease this service upon moving to Hanfertal practice community on October 1st. Meanwhile, the hospital has welcomed Dr. Julia Weber and Dr. Michael Braun to its outpatient cancer care team, succeeding Dr. Prillinger.
The expansion of outpatient services at SRH Hospital Sigmaringen includes specialties such as urology, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, surgery, and oncology. The hospital does not view these services as competition to practicing physicians' services but rather as a way to provide care tailored to patients' needs. However, the transition to more outpatient treatments has caused problems for the hospital, with some legally insured cancer patients unable to receive outpatient treatment due to lack of a chief physician and leased oncologists not having personal permits.
The shift to more outpatient care is part of a broader trend in German hospitals. More than two-thirds are running a deficit, and it remains unclear how they can manage this transformation without state support. To work more cost-effectively, the outpatient and inpatient sectors should be clearly separated, but this would require investments not yet funded by politics.
The authorization of Dr. Julia Weber and Dr. Michael Braun to participate in the outpatient care of cancer patients at SRH Hospital Sigmaringen is a step towards more outpatient treatments, as encouraged by health policy. However, the challenges faced by the hospital in managing this transition highlight the need for clear regulations and adequate funding to ensure a smooth shift to more outpatient care.
