title: [Minimum caseload requirements in urologic oncology: not without evidence from health services research].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimum caseload requirements can be an appropriate tool to optimize and stabilize the quality of treatment with complex surgical procedures. For several procedures there is sufficient evidence for a positive correlation between high case numbers and lower morbidity and mortality rates. In urologic oncology there is also an effect of moderate strength for radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy, and radical nephrectomy. Therefore, several healthcare systems have introduced minimal numbers per hospital to centralize certain procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since 2004 minimal caseload requirements have been introduced in Germany for selected operations. However, urooncologic procedures have not been included yet. Due to the high incidence of urologic malignancies and sufficient evidence, a centralization of these procedures seems to be favorable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  However, prior to the introduction of minimum caseload requirements for these major urooncologic procedures, exact evaluation of the available evidence for the German healthcare system will be necessary. If a minimal caseload for these procedures is introduced, the process should be monitored closely and evaluated continuously.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland, johannes.huber@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Groeben
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D061646:Operative Time; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016526:Workload / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*