Together with around 400 guests, including renowned experts from politics, healthcare, associations and science, the Medical Service discussed solutions on June 6th how the legally guaranteed entitlement of insured persons to a high quality of care in medicine and nursing can be fulfilled, especially in times of multiple crises. Prof Karin Wolf-Ostermann from the Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP) at the University of Bremen was present and was also interviewed (see short film at https://www.medizinischerdienst.de/medizinischerdienst/kongress-des-medizinischen-dienstes-2024).

In lectures, short interviews and discussion rounds, the congress offered information and positions on selected areas of health and nursing care. The event kicked off with a look at the topic of quality of care from the perspective of society as a whole, focussing on the demands and expectations of patients and those insured with regard to the quality of care. The following part of the programme, "The future of hospitals", addressed the objectives and current status of the hospital reform. Discussions centred on how the quality of care for insured persons in hospitals should be structured and what contribution the Medical Service can and should make. In view of demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers, the programme item "Future care" dealt with how care provision can be made future-proof and how the Medical Service can play a part in this, particularly with regard to care assessments. What role do patient orientation, patient safety and evidence play in ensuring a high quality of care? How are they connected? What significance do they have for the tasks and work of the Medical Service? These questions characterised the conclusion of the congress day.