The nationwide integrated care concept
First nationwide coordinated headache treatment network
The pain clinic and the Techniker Krankenkasse win the “Ideas Park Healthcare Industry 2009” competition.
For the fourth time, the Financial Times Deutschland launched its “Healthcare Industry Ideas Park” competition. Companies, institutions, and individuals from across the healthcare sector were invited to participate. The aim of the “Healthcare Industry Ideas Park” competition is to raise awareness of innovative approaches among a wider public and thus advance the debate on a better healthcare system. “The discussions of recent months surrounding the health fund have diverted attention from the innovative ideas being developed within the sector,” said Dr. Nikolaus Förster, Head of Agenda at the Financial Times Deutschland and the competition's initiator. “The high quality of the more than 80 entries, with their compelling ideas, projects, and concepts, demonstrates that there is no shortage of potential.”
A jury evaluated the submitted proposals based on the criteria of innovation, relevance, quality, transparency, efficiency, feasibility, and reach. The ten best concepts were presented at the FTD conference "Healthcare Industry" on March 23 and 24, 2009, in Berlin, as well as in the Financial Times Deutschland. Jury members were Prof. Heinz Lohmann, consultant and former CEO of LBK Hamburg; Sophia Schlette, health expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation; Prof. Dr. Matthias Schrappe, member of the German Council of Experts on Developments in the Healthcare System; Dr. Ulrich Wandschneider, CEO of Mediclin; Prof. Dr. Jürgen Wasem, Chair of Medical Management at the University of Duisburg-Essen; and Dr. Nikolaus Förster, Head of Agenda at the Financial Times Deutschland.
In 2009, the nationwide integrated care concept “First nationwide coordinated headache treatment network” of the pain clinic and the Techniker Krankenkasse was awarded a prize by the jury.
The new coordinated care concept represents a milestone for the treatment of the widespread condition of headaches and for the patients affected. It was jointly developed by the partners Kiel Pain Clinic and Techniker Krankenkasse (a German health insurance company). For the first time, this concept enables nationwide, cross-sectoral networking of outpatient and inpatient therapy. The latest scientific findings on the modern treatment of migraines and headaches directly benefit those affected. Comprehensive, collaborative care, enhanced knowledge, innovative information exchange among all involved parties, and joint work using precisely defined treatment pathways form the basis for modern and efficient treatment outcomes. A national network of general practitioners and outpatient and inpatient pain therapists in practices and clinics works hand in hand to optimally alleviate pain across disciplines and sectors using modern methods. The participating professional groups treat patients according to current guidelines and the latest scientific standards. Outpatient, rehabilitative, and inpatient therapies are closely coordinated and integrated throughout the treatment process. The quality of treatment is documented through continuous scientific research, and its sustainable cost-efficiency across all sectors of the healthcare system has been confirmed through analysis of direct and indirect costs. The project was launched in May 2007. Nearly all major health insurance companies have since joined the healthcare program. The concept has completely restructured the nationwide care of the widespread condition of headaches. An innovative national treatment network has been created and implemented, serving as an international model for effective and modern coordinated therapy that effectively alleviates pain and sustainably reduces costs.
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