Special medical outpatient care-3.5years of outpatient specialist care in rheumatology : An inventory

Abstract

In 2012 the outpatient specialist medical care (ASV) was introduced as an intersectoral, interdisciplinary, outpatient care concept. As from 19 April 2018 there is the possibility to form teams for the ASV for rheumatic diseases in adults as well as in children and adolescents.. Analysis of previously unpublished data of the National Confederation of Statutory Health Insurance (GKV-SV) and of data of the ASV service department and a comparison with data of standard healthcare services and with the previous care concept of outpatient care in hospitals (ABK). After its introduction for 3.5years, the ASV in rheumatology for adult care has developed into asignificant healthcare model for rheumatologists in private practices and hospitals. There were 57teams consisting of 458 rheumatologists in ASV rheumatism for adults, which represent 44% of all rheumatologists involved in adult care. For children and adolescents, there were 7teams with 19pediatric rheumatologists, i.e. 8% of pediatric rheumatologists in health care. The number of patients treated was still significantly lower than the potential, but showed a strong increase. Almost 64,000 adults and 811 children and adolescents were treated in the ASV in the second quarter of 2021. Whether the facilitation of outpatient care and the introduction of hybrid diagnosis-related groups planned in the coalition agreement will spur the ASV development remains to be seen.