title: First German disease management program for breast cancer.
abstract: The first disease management program contract for breast cancer in Germany was signed in 2002 between the Association of Regional of Physicians in North-Rhine and the statutory health insurance companies in Rhineland. At the heart of this unique breast cancer disease management program is a patient-centered network of health care professionals. The program's main objectives are: (1) to improve the quality of treatment and post-operative care for breast cancer patients, (2) to provide timely information and consultation empowering the patient to participate in decisionmaking, (3) to improve the interface between inpatient and outpatient care, and (4) to increase the number of breast-conserving surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Rheinland -Die Gesundheitskasse. christoph.rupprecht@rla.aok.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rupprecht
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D032982:Contracts; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care