[Availability of physicians with geriatric qualifications to implement the requirements for the care of geriatric patients with proximal femoral fractures].

Abstract

Background/objective: Since 2024, according to the guidelines on the treatment of proximal femoral fractures of the German Joint Federal Committee (QSFFx-RL), the geriatric qualification of physicians is the new quality standard for the daily guarantee of geriatric competence in the care of fractures near the hip joint in hospitals. The article examines whether there are enough physicians qualified in geriatrics available to implement this quality standard in practice.

Material and methods: The data were based on physician statistics, quality assurance procedures and hospital billing records. The available geriatric competence was determined on the basis of physicians with the required geriatric qualifications and potential orthogeriatric cooperation partners, hospital locations with guideline cases using the main diagnoses and procedures.

Results: The total increase in the number of physicians qualified in geriatrics for 2023 can be estimated at around 4800 (of whom 2700 are active in inpatient and 1700 in outpatient fields). In 2022 there were 1005 hospital locations with > 20 guideline cases, 55% of which also offered geriatric services. A total of 908 geriatric locations (hospital/rehabilitation) and 1476 contract doctors were identified as potential cooperation partners. Only 4.6% of hospital locations with > 20 guideline cases did not have a potential geriatric location within a distance radius of ≤ 20 km.

Discussion: The number of physicians qualified in geriatrics and potential geriatric cooperation partners, the long transition period, already established local geriatric care services and the possibility of using telemedicine support the feasibility of implementing the new quality standard; however, the planned exclusion of geriatric consultations on request starting in 2027 will require even more physicians qualified in geriatrics.