The Verband der Krankenhausdirektoren Deutschlands (VKD) has released its VKD-Praxisberichte 2025. These reports offer authoritative insights into transformation, emerging structures, crisis readiness, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovation, along with pioneering ideas and projects from VKD.
In a comprehensive interview, VKD President Dirk Köcher asserts that “the legislatively initiated transformation is already happening – but it will be a lengthy and by no means straightforward process.”
Wolfgang Mueller, VKD First Vice-President, contributes insights on the reform process already underway in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), and outlines his expectations regarding the Krankenhausreform-Anpassungsgesetz (KHAG).
The chapter “Structures in Flux” presents real-world examples of new organisational models in hospital care: these include alliances such as the one at Christliches Klinikum Paderborn, the development of a regional medical network in the Leipzig area now part of the Sana Clinics, the competitive synergy captured in "Cooperation is the new competition" in Southwest Saxony, and the transformation of a district hospital into a sector-crossing health campus in Brandenburg VKD. VKD Press Spokesperson Andreas Tyzak, drawing on his experience in disaster protection, sheds light on institutional crisis-management readiness.
A forward-looking segment examines the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in hospitals and university clinics. It highlights both the teams’ drive behind AI-based diagnostics and treatments and the significant responsibilities this innovation entails.
Finally, the reports present a rich array of ideas, projects and innovations from clinical settings: these range from enhancements to study and teaching approaches, to 3-D-printed medications, to staff housing developments.
Availability: The VKD-Praxisberichte 2025 are available online via the VKD’s website as a browsable digital issue and in print format on request. To order a printed copy, please contact the VKD office at [email protected]
Original Press Release: This is a translated version of the original German press release. To view the original text, Click Here (German).
Image Credit: VKD
