gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The quality of care for oncological diseases has continually improved in the past years. This was achieved by various approaches: Advanced training with and without administration of CME points, evidence-based guidelines and clinical studies. The considerable differences still seen between actual and expected mortality confirm that the above approaches must be supplemented by other strategies.

Methods: The GMG offers the possibility of closing integrated care contracts between medical caregivers and state insurance companies. Such a contract in a modified form was signed by the German Testicular Cancer Study Group (GTCSG) and the AOK.

Results: -The GTCSG developed the following model project: Participating physicians in private practice or in hospitals send basic data of patients with germ cell tumors together with a treatment suggestion to a second opinion center (SOC). The SOC recommends a therapy. The clinical course is followed up after two years. The main target parameters of the project are recurrence-free survival and a comparison between intended, recommended and actually performed therapy in relation to the current S2 guidelines. -The “Deutsche Krebshilfe” supports a supervisory data center for the scientific assessment of acquired data and for the follow-up of the clinical course. Representatives of the GTCSG as an interdisciplinary group of the Germany Cancer Society (GCS) will supervise the evaluation. The more than 18-month preparation also enables an evaluation of the reactions of those directly and indirectly involved: - There were different opinions regarding the effectivity of second opinion centers to improve inadequate care; -regional AOK offices showed varying willingness to implement model contracts. Contracts have been completed with the AOK in Hamburg, North Rhine and Westphalia-Lippe. Discussion This step should preserve the decentralized care structure and enable interdisciplinary guideline-conform treatment of testicular tumors. Thus, our aim is to bring the various regional care results nation-wide up to international standards. The model is transferable to other tumor diseases. On behalf of German Testicular Cancer Study Group.