Data, facts and instruments on the German health system
What it’s all about
When it comes to discussing the competences that will be relevant in the future, the topic of digital know-how is almost exclusively cited. This is indeed true, because there are clear deficits here. But another topic is much more important.
The overall system in view
Already today, but even more so in the future, it is important for general practitioners and specialists to have sound knowledge and skills in the area of practice management, starting with planning and market research, organisation, personnel management, marketing, patient care, time management and controlling.
If digital competence refers to an instrumental area of practice activity, management competence is holistically oriented towards the control of the entire medical practice system and includes digital skills.
The key to success
Professional practice management enables doctors to continuously, efficiently, productively, flexibly and proactively balance their personal goals, the practice goals, the performance potential of their operations and the requirements of the external dynamic framework for action. Digital solutions are part of the resources to be managed. Their selection and integration are part of practice management.
The best practice standard as a reference
Practice management is optimally and professionally positioned when its best practice standard is implemented as fully as possible. It describes all instruments, regulations and behavioural patterns that are indispensable for a smoothly functioning practice, even under changing requirements. The fact that GPs and specialists are currently failing to implement almost half of the standard, which is also referred to as practice management insufficiency, shows the immense backlog demand in this area. It is reinforced, as already mentioned, by an even greater deficit in digital competence, including knowledge of how practice work is digitally transformed.
Quickly build up competence
The easiest and quickest way to build practice management competence is to determine the best practice status of practice management. The tool for this is practice management benchmarking. It determines the degree of implementation and describes the necessary steps for adaptation. How this works is described in the publication “Benchmarking practice management for general practitioners and specialists – method, application and benefits”, which is free of charge for practice owners. It can be obtained by sending an e-mail to post@ifabs.de.
R2049 