Cancer diagnosis in Austria: waiting times bring patients in need!

Cancer diagnosis in Austria: waiting times bring patients in need!

Again and again we hear from long waiting times in health systems that heavily strain on the life of patient: inside. Cancer patients are in Austria: Inside, there are particularly major challenges when it comes to getting a diagnosis and therapy based on it quickly. According to a current series of discussions by the Karl Landsteiner Society and MSD Austria, which dealt with the topic of “waiting as a health risk”, experts illustrate how important faster and structured patient care is. Ap. Prof. Priv.-Doz. GDR. Igor Grabovac from Vienna emphasizes that navigation due to the fragmented health system is often extremely difficult and it is necessary that patient get a secure diagnosis as soon as possible. Especially in the event of a cancer diagnosis, every delay means emotional stress, as also Anita Kienesberger, chairwoman of the Allianz oncological patient organizations.

A study from 2024 revealed alarming data: 25 percent of the patient: Inside with non-small cell lung cancer, their diagnosis only received more than 50 days after the first imaging, which significantly exceeds the maximum 49 days recommended by the United Kingdom. In response, experts such as AO. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Herwig Ostermann an optimization of the treatment paths to minimize the stress for patients: inside and to improve the success of therapy. In the meantime, a comparison shows that Germany in the international area is doing well for specialist dates in the international area: 75 percent of the respondents received an appointment within one month, the private health insurance reports, even if in Austria there is still no uniform standard for maximum waiting times. It is now important to promote the exchange between the health partners in order to counteract a quick and efficient system and to optimize the patient: internal care.

structured treatment paths as a solution

In order to improve the situation, the experts encourage the implementation of structured treatment paths to facilitate the patient: inside access to fast diagnoses and effective therapies. Prim. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Anton Ponholzer emphasizes that clear structures and an early start of treatment are crucial to take the patient: inside unnecessary worries. Meanwhile, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Josef Smolle depends on the existing legal framework, which are often hindered in practice by fragmented systems. A digital health infrastructure could be a solution to link the necessary data and thus increase efficiency in the system - a step that all actors in the health system must agree to in order to ensure quick and appropriate care.

For more information: ots.at and pkv.de .