Status quo and perspectives of dermatology hospitals in Germany: spectra of health care and staff situation

Abstract

Background: Inpatient care in Germany has been subject to change since the introduction of the DRG-based payment system. There have been no publications on important differentiating factors such as the spectrum of care and the staffing situation in dermatology. Methods: Health care analysis of 115 dermatology hospitals in October 2019 using a structured survey questionnaire. Results: On average, the spectrum of care included 31.0 % general dermatology, 33.6 % surgical dermatology, 15.6 % oncology, and 10.1 % allergology. The clinics had an average of 14 full-time positions and 3 part-time positions (university clinics: 23/5, non-university clinics: 9/2). The mean nationwide proportion of women in the physician teams showed the following distribution: postgraduate physicians 73.3 %, senior physicians 53.0 %, directors 20.0 %. The applicant situation of senior physicians and specialists was assessed as predominantly poor, that of residents as predominantly good. Worse applicant situations were present in non-university hospitals and in rural areas. The satisfaction of the medical directors with the current conditions of inpatient care showed a variable assessment independent of university hospital and non-university hospital status. However, the threat to inpatient care was predominantly assessed as low (71.6 %). Conclusions: The overall situation of inpatient dermatological care can be classified as predominantly good. In addition, the majority of dermatology clinics provide a wide range of care with regard to the variety of indications. The general conditions, which in some cases are rated as inadequate, require further measures.