title: [Requirements for the provision of healthcare to socially disadvantaged population groups: evaluation of 10 years of medical care provided to the homeless in Hanover].
abstract: In 2007, the German Federal Government introduced a general health insurance obligation, but there are still vulnerable groups such as poor and homeless people without access to medical care. Especially for social fringe groups, a visit to the doctor involves many obstacles. Ten years ago the project "Outreach medical care for homeless people and people threatened by homelessness in Hanover" was established in order to reduce those gaps in healthcare provision. A continuously conducted evaluation of the project shows that low-threshold consulting hours are accepted and the transition to medical specialists is becoming increasingly easy. So the evaluation plays an important part in the development of the project. Since the healthcare reform in 2004, however, the number of cases has increased by 30 % while the actual homeless target group has remained the same. In order to guarantee access to the healthcare system for patients who cannot afford additional payments, the abolition of the quarterly practice fee and other additional payments for people on a low income is an important step. The growing requirements, resulting from a changing clientele and changes in the general conditions, are raising questions as to the nature of such projects and its future funding. In the long run it isn't the aim of this non-profit project to take on central tasks of a mutually supportive community. Therefore the data and results collected on the evaluation not only serve to improve the projects management, but also provide important information to other initiatives outside Hanover whether and how to support the respective groups of patients.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Qualität und Management im Gesundheitswesen, Einrichtung der Ärztekammer Niedersachsen, Hannover.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meidl
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wenzlaff
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sens
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goesmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005544:Forecasting; D005858:Germany; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D017664:Uncompensated Care / Q000191:economics; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology