[Disease management. Current trend or potential solution?].

Main deficit in the present health care system is the inadequate integration of service providers into therapy procedures. Disease Management opposes (objects) this. It is a method to systematically improve quality- and economic-standards. Disease management programs include the following five elements: 1. Information standardisation and information technology, 2. improvement of therapy guidelines, 3. motivational programs for service providers and patients and 4. the patient in the centre of all activities. These four elements directly influence patient therapy. With the fifth element, Outcomes Research, treatment results can be evaluated and, if necessary, additional measures taken. With this, a line of rules is established. Looking at the results of Disease Management it becomes evident that it is an interesting starting-point which offers solutions to help eradicate deficits in the present healthcare system.