A proposal to reduce the frequency of patient-doctor interactions in Germany is gaining traction, with key stakeholders voicing support for a potential shift in healthcare delivery. Markus Beier, Chairman of the Federal Association of General Practitioners, has welcomed the initiative spearheaded by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken.
Minister Warken recently highlighted that German citizens visit doctors more often than their counterparts in other countries, without necessarily experiencing corresponding improvements in health outcomes or longevity. She emphasized the need for greater coordination to curtail unnecessary appointments while ensuring prompt access for those requiring urgent care. A central element of her proposed changes involves introducing a primary care physician system.
Beier underscored the complexity of the existing German healthcare system as a contributing factor to the high volume of appointments. He argued that patients often struggle to identify the appropriate specialist or level of care for specific medical concerns. In light of Germany’s aging population, he suggested that maintaining the current intensity of doctor visits is increasingly unsustainable.
The envisioned primary care system would designate general practitioners as the initial point of contact for patients, directing them to specialized care as needed. Beier believes this approach would streamline healthcare access, reduce appointment numbers and potentially enhance the quality of care. He pointed to the success of such models in other European nations as evidence of their efficacy.
He specifically advocated for leveraging existing frameworks, such as the “Hausarztmodell” – a voluntary primary care model already partially implemented and supported by statutory health insurance funds, which mandates a patient-centered approach to care. Instead of developing entirely new systems, Beier urged the government to strengthen and expand this existing model, a provision he noted is already included in the current coalition agreement. He cautioned that attempting a complete overhaul would be time-consuming and potentially impractical given the pressing need for reform.