A transfer obligation: Doctors require access control to hospital outpatient clinics!

A transfer obligation: Doctors require access control to hospital outpatient clinics!

Bad Loipersdorf, Österreich - Access to health services in Austria is currently the focus of the discussions among experts. On April 24, 2025, Harald Mayer, Federal Curial Chairman of the employed doctors and Vice President of the Austrian Medical Association (ÖÄK), commented on April 24, 2025 for the planned control of access to specialist medical services by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). According to ots.at, this control should also apply to hospital bulges. Mayer emphasizes that a system, similar to that in the Netherlands, in which the patient cannot get to hospital legacies without transfer, would also make sense in Austria.

Mayer welcomes the ÖGK initiative for improved patient steering and supports the planned discounts for patients who comply with the given path. This should be encouraged by specific bonuses to motivate patients to choose the right ways in the health system. At the same time, Mayer calls on the ÖGK to provide sufficient appointments in the resident area to ensure care.

promotion of the resident sector

A central concern of Mayer is the expansion of the resident sector and the integration of the medical profession for a functioning patient steering. He considers the support of the new federal government to be positive in this context. The interdisciplinary exchange of these topics also took place at the LSZ Health Congress in Bad Loipersdorf at the beginning of July, where decision-makers from the health and social affairs came together. Ärztezeitung reports on priorities such as digitization, artificial intelligence (AI) and the steering of patient streams.

In the case of the panel discussion, the need for a binding patient steering was underlined. Mayer emphasized: "Digitally before setting - on an outpatient basis before hospital -sambant before inpatient". The aim of this effort is a stable health system that is supported by efficient patient steering and control of the care.

Extension of the health hotline and relief for hospital legacies

Another proposal from Mayer was the expansion of the health hotline 1450 to all of Austria in order to create a functioning system with comprehensive offers. There is also hope for discussions with the new Minister of Health after the National Council elections on September 29th.

The workshop by Christoph Steinacker for patient control from the point of view of the hospital sampling stated great interest and ensured lively participation. Steinacker emphasized the urgency of relieving the overcrowded hospital outpatient clinics and suggested that patients provide promptly offers that also include digital solutions. This is to avoid that patients have to go to hospital for every little thing. This integrative approach could make a decisive contribution to improving the health system in Austria.