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Against the background of the altered health care framework and its new challenges, the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) has initiated a review of its approach to in- and outpatient treatment. The ultimate goal of this review is a strengthening of quality- and demand-oriented structures, while maintaining the principles proven in the past. To achieve this aim, a draft paper outlining the main points is to be approved and stepwise implemented. The most relevant points, such as establishing treatment structures tailored to meet health care needs, adapting the process by which patients are treated according to type of injury, the possibilities for trauma networks as well as hospitals which fall under the auspices of the German Employers’ Liability Insurance Association, establishing quality assurance systems and developing rehabilitation management are all discussed in the present article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medical treatments consistently used for decades by the German statutory accident insurance need to be adapted to new conditions arising from changes in healthcare, health economy, health policy, as well as changing economical and socio-political perspectives. These changes, however, should not affect quality of care. The key issue paper published by the German statutory Insurance on the adjustment of healthcare in statutory accident insurance is intended to be a guideline for the development of concrete concepts. Following a short discourse on the outset position, the current article presents some of the changes discussed in the key issue paper, such as authorized medical examinations and the inclusion of other service providers, the introduction of a continuous quality assurance system and implementation of the changes in the area of healthcare system physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]