Aim of the project

The development of new and expensive health technologies together with an aging population result in an increase of needs for medical care while the financial resources are limited. This leads to an increased cost pressure in the health system, that will make it impossible for the statutory health insurance to finance all medical care for all its members. Therefore, a priority setting is necessary. Today, physicians and politicians act according to practical and “ad hoc” reasons resulting in a "hidden prioritization". Defined concepts and procedures for a systematic information management are missing.

It is the aim of the project FOR655 to look for prioritizations respecting the interests and wishes of all parties involved, patients, physicians and citizens. Within eleven sub-projects, the research groups explores prioritization from different perspectives (ethical, philosophical, legal, economical, psychological, empirical and medical) in order to develop a possible guideline for priority settings.

What does „Prioritizing“ mean?

Prioritization in the health care sector is a method to identify ranking orders regarding certain indications, patient groups or medical treatments.

At the top position of the ranking the most important and essential treatments e bottomcould be found. Ineffecitve treatments or treatments with higher harm than benefit will be found at th of the ranking.

Generally, we distinguish between vertical and horizontal prioritizing.

However, prioritizing in health care is not to be confused with rationing .