[Networking as an opportunity to profile a clinic? Strategy options after the evaluation of resource allocation].
OBJECTIVE
Diagnosis-related groups of medical services has recently been introduced for reimbursing hospital services. The aim has been to optimize bed capacity, decrease the duration of inpatient stay and provide good follow-up medical care. This confronts hospitals with the need for closely cooperating with the referring general practitioners or specialists.


METHODS
A specially structured questionnaire was sent to all those general practitioners and specialists (n=890) who had referred patients to a university department of dermatology. The response rate was 23%. The completed questionnaires were analysed with respect to criteria judged to be important in determining referral for inpatient care and the quality of medical and related service provisions.


RESULTS
Especially important to the referring doctors were optimal competence of patient care, the degree of cooperation and prompt, detailed information after the patients have been discharged.


CONCLUSIONS
This type of analysis can serve to optimize the course of diagnosis/treatment and to utilize fully the available hospital resources. Also considered are various ways in which a hospital department can, by networking with general practitioners and specialists, become a centre for providing optimal services.
Quist
S R
SR
Universitätsklinik für Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg. squist@gmx.de
Dieckmann-Stöcklein
R
R
Bröcker
E-B
EB
Weyandt
G H
GH
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D019058:Community Networks / Q000592:standards*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000592:standards*; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D005858:Germany; D006295:Health Resources; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires