Hospital at Home: utilising opportunities, mastering challenges

What challenges and opportunities do you see in the realisation of "Visit - Spital Zollikerberg Zuhause®"?

Christian Ernst: From a project management perspective, one of the biggest challenges is developing sustainable long-term financing. It is not always easy to fulfil the different demands of the various interest groups. On the one hand, we have to prove that the quality is just as high, if not better, than a regular hospital stay. On the other hand, this care should also be more cost-effective. However, this is precisely where the Hospital-at-Home project offers the greatest opportunity: in the best-case scenario, we can offer high-quality care at a more favourable price in the long term.

Gwen Gehrecke: There are always different solutions, that's the beauty of the model. What I love about our approach at the Visit is the interprofessional collaboration. In my opinion, the close networking of knowledge and expertise from different areas makes treatment more valuable for patients. In my eyes, nurses and doctors don't work side by side, but together to provide the best possible care.

What are the goals of the Hospital at Home Congress on 8 November 2024?

Christian Ernst: We want to use the congress to anchor the topic even more firmly in Switzerland. It should provide a broad insight into the exciting field of this type of interprofessional patient care. The congress should also create the opportunity for networking between interest groups.

Gwen Gehrecke: The congress brings together interested parties from Switzerland to learn from each other and spread the idea of Hospital at Home. It offers a platform for exchanging experiences and visions. It also makes it possible to discuss the political and practical framework conditions that are necessary to successfully establish the hospital-at-home model in Switzerland.

What opportunities do participants have to contribute their own experiences and questions?

Christian Ernst and Gwen Gehrecke: In addition to the exciting presentations, panel discussions, various workshops and breaks are planned to create space for dialogue. Participants can actively ask questions and contribute their own experiences. It is important to us that this congress is also an interactive place for learning and networking.

And what are you personally looking forward to most about the congress?

Christian Ernst: I'm really looking forward to being able to present different perspectives and meeting new, interested people. With this approach, we shouldn't focus on individual projects, but rather work together to further develop this exciting system. The congress will be an important piece of the puzzle.

Gwen Gehrecke: I'm looking forward to the variety of perspectives, the joint discussions and the palpable enthusiasm for the topic of "Hospital at Home". It will be a great opportunity to exchange ideas with experts and interested parties and to gather valuable ideas for the future of healthcare.