Interview with Dr Mate Ivančić, CEO of the Schön Klinik Group
What are the biggest challenges that you expect for private clinics in connection with this hospital reform?
The hospital reform poses considerable structural and financial challenges for all hospital operators, particularly as a result of new financing mechanisms such as flat rates, cross-sector care approaches and changed performance requirements. For private hospital groups such as the Schön Klinik Group, this means an even stronger focus on quality and fulfilment of the structural requirements for the service groups allocated to us. One challenge lies in the potential reorganisation of the hospital landscape, which could influence the financing of highly specialised services. In addition, more restrictive requirements could change competition between public, non-profit and private providers.
What strategies do you use to ensure the competitiveness of your clinics in the face of possible structural changes in the sector?
Our strategy is based on several pillars:
Medical excellence: The Schön Klinik Group focuses on highly qualified care both as a specialist provider and with its highly specialised clinics in the fields of orthopaedics, neurology and psychosomatics. This not only ensures the highest quality of care, but also a sustainable position in a reformed hospital sector.
Digital transformation: We are making targeted investments in digital patient pathways, telemedicine and innovative forms of care in order to increase efficiency and patient comfort.
Attractive working conditions: Securing qualified staff remains one of the key challenges facing the healthcare sector. We focus on innovative working models, targeted development of specialist staff and an esteem-based corporate culture.
How do you foresee the role of private clinics in the German healthcare system developing after this reform?
Private clinics play a decisive role in the German healthcare system, in particular through innovative care concepts, high efficiency and cost-effectiveness. I am convinced that the future belongs to privately owned clinics, as they have proven their ability to deliver economic performance while maintaining the highest medical quality. Differentiation through high medical quality and economic sustainability will be essential. In addition, private hospital groups offer the flexibility to react quickly to changing requirements and to drive innovation in patient care.
The Schön Klinik Group will make its contribution to the further development of the healthcare system by continuing to combine excellent medicine with economic efficiency and patient-centred care.
