title: [The Basel Medical University Polyclinic on the brink of the 21st century: retrospective and prospective view].
abstract: At the occasion of its 125th anniversary the outpatient department of internal medicine is being analysed with regard to its history, development and future. Originally it was founded to improve practical patient-oriented teaching of students and to serve the poor population of Basel. While today the Swiss Health Insurance system warrants proper care for every citizen and thus renders the latter purpose unnecessary, new marginal patient groups have evolved that need proper attention such as HIV patients, asylum-seekers, geriatric patients and others. Teaching obligations have even increased, especially with regard to primary care and family medicine. Thus the reasons for running a medical outpatient department have changed considerably, but still include teaching, research and provision of care to special patient groups. Outpatient departments have to be flexible and to adapt to modern trends in health care.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Universitätspoliklinik Basel. ngyr@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gyr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battegay
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D013557:Switzerland