Schlosser-Hupf, Sophie and Aichner, Elisabeth and Meier, Marcus and Albaladejo-Fuertes, Sheila and Mahnke, Anna and Ruttmann, Kirstin and Rusch, Sophia and Michels, Bernhard and Mehrl, Alexander and Kunst, Claudia and Schmid, Stephan and Mueller, Martina (2024) Cost-effectiveness in an interprofessional training ward within a university department for internal medicine: a monocentric open-label controlled study of the A-STAR Regensburg. FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, 12: 1340953. ISSN , 2296-2565
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Introduction Interprofessional collaboration in healthcare involves diverse professionals working together to address complex patient needs. Interprofessional training wards offer workplace-based interprofessional education in real healthcare settings, fostering collaborative learning among students. While their educational value is widely recognized, debates persist regarding their cost-effectiveness due to limited research. This study assesses the cost efficiency of the interprofessional training ward Regensburg (A-STAR) within the Department of Internal Medicine I at the University Hospital Regensburg, compared to conventional wards.Methods From October 2019 to December 2022, 7,244 patient cases were assigned to A-STAR or conventional wards by case managers, with a comprehensive analysis of all associated revenues and costs.Results A-STAR treated 1,482 patients, whereas conventional wards treated 5,752 patients, with more males and younger patients at A-STAR. A-STAR achieved higher profit per case (<euro>1,508.74) attributed to increased revenues and reduced material costs. It generated an average of <euro>1,366.54 more Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) revenue per case annually than conventional wards, due to greater medical complexity reflected in a higher case-mix index (CMI: 2.4 vs. 2.2). The increased case complexity led to longer patient stays (9.0 vs. 8.1 days) and fewer cases treated annually at A-STAR (27.4 cases/year vs. 37.8 cases/year). The higher CMI did not result in a higher proportion of patients requiring isolation. A-STAR exhibited a higher capacity utilization rate (87.1% vs. 83.9%). Personnel costs per case at A-STAR were initially elevated due to enhanced observation by the senior physician but were gradually mitigated by expanding A-STAR's bed capacity. Material costs were consistently lower on a per-case basis at A-STAR (<euro>1512.02 vs. <euro>1577.12), particularly in terms of medication expenses, indicating more resource-efficient operations. From the A-STAR graduates, 18 individuals were recruited for permanent positions as doctors or nurses over 2 years.Conclusion A-STAR demonstrates economic efficiency and stability even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The substantial personnel acquisition is likely influenced by high levels of satisfaction with education and work and is economically relevant in medical staff shortages. These findings provide a compelling rationale for the broader implementation of interprofessional training wards, establishing them as vital platforms for nurturing future professionals.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | CARE; EDUCATION; IMPACT; TEAM; interprofessional; training ward; cost-effectiveness; economic outcome; cost analysis; interprofessional education; interprofessional collaborative practice; internal medicine |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Jul 2025 12:13 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Jul 2025 12:13 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/63458 |
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