Healthcare in Germany
Healthcare in Germany
Healthcare in Germany (pronunciation: /ˈhɛlθkeər ɪn ˈdʒɜːrməni/), is a highly developed healthcare system that provides comprehensive medical services to all residents. The etymology of the term "healthcare" comes from the Old English "hǣlth" meaning "wholeness, a being whole, sound or well," and the Middle English "care," meaning "charge, oversight, attention or heed."
History
The history of healthcare in Germany dates back to the 19th century, when the country introduced compulsory sickness insurance for workers, making it the first country in the world to do so. This system has evolved over time to become the modern German healthcare system.
Structure
The German healthcare system is a dual public-private system. The public system, known as the Statutory Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV), covers the majority of the population. The private system, known as the Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung, PKV), covers a smaller portion of the population, typically those with higher incomes or specific professions.
Funding
Healthcare in Germany is primarily funded through a combination of employee and employer contributions, along with government subsidies. The health insurance contributions are income-dependent and are split equally between the employee and the employer.
Services
The German healthcare system provides a wide range of services, including preventive care, primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and long-term care. It also covers prescription drugs, medical aids, and rehabilitation.
Quality
Germany is known for its high-quality healthcare. It has one of the highest proportions of doctors per capita in the world, and its hospitals and medical facilities are equipped with the latest technology.
Challenges
Despite its strengths, the German healthcare system faces several challenges, including rising healthcare costs, an aging population, and a shortage of healthcare professionals in certain areas.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Healthcare in Germany
- Wikipedia's article - Healthcare in Germany
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski