title: [Position paper for a reform of medical emergency care in German emergency departments].
abstract: The hospital emergency departments play a central role for the in- and outpatient care of patients with medical emergencies in Germany. In this position paper we point out some general financial and organizational problems of German emergency departments and urge for a higher significance of emergency care in the German health system as an element of public services. The corresponding reform proposals include a change in hospital financing towards a more budget-based system for the emergency departments, an improved structural planning for regional and transregional emergency care, an intensified cooperation with the emergency services of the ambulatory care physicians, a better organizational representation of emergency care within the hospitals and an advancement of emergency medicine in postgraduate medical education.
authors.affiliation: Internistische Intensivstation, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Deutschland, reimer.riessen@med.uni-tuebingen.de.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riessen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gries
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seekamp
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dodt
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumle
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Busch
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005858:Germany; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D061889:Healthcare Financing; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration