The hospital situation for diseases requiring sophisticated examinations using epilepsy as an example

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases and at least one-third of the patients who are diagnosed require highly specialized treatment. Since the number of specialized centers is limited due to cost considerations, a complex selection process must be in place in order to provide specialized treatment for these patients, and a boundaryless hospital is the only organizational structure offering the necessary environment. Modern electronic media provide a basis for communication among different partners. At the moment, however, communication and collaboration obstacles appear to be almost insurmountable due to reimbursement problems coupled with the vanity of single players. In addition to costs being reduced, treatment continues to improve, research is developing rapidly, and therefore this structure should be of general interest to the public. However, politics must provide the framework. This is the case in Switzerland where certified, specialized centers have been established that represent the growing success of the boundaryless hospital concept.