Regional pilot project in Lower Saxony to improve the reporting and care of insured persons with suspected occupational dermatosis BK 5101 (NIB 5101)

Status:

ongoing

Aims:

As a pioneering innovation in healthcare provision, the aim of this research project is to achieve faster access and a sustainable improvement in the care provided to insured persons with work-related skin conditions as defined by Occupational Disease (OD) No. 5101, as well as a significant increase in the number of notifications filed. To this end, a two-stage referral model for insured persons is being trialled for the first time:

(a) expansion of the existing notification channels to include an additional one-page short report for OD 5101,

(b) followed by FAST-LANE referral of insured persons by the accident insurance providers to the occupational dermatology centres of expertise at the Lower Saxony Institute for Occupational Dermatology (NIB), thereby enabling immediate and priority access to highly qualified (allergological) diagnostics, counselling, therapy and the initiation of individualised prevention.

Activities/Methods:

The two-stage pilot project, which is supplemental to the established dermatological care procedures, will be subject to scientific evaluation. In the first phase of the study, information sessions will be held for dermatologists, occupational physicians and general practitioners for capacity building and promotion of the reporting process, including the short report OD 5101 as a new additional tool for reporting insured persons – with minimal administrative effort (digitally) – to the accident insurances. The accident insurances will then refer the cases to the NIB centres. There, insured persons receive an appropriate diagnosis, treatment and qualified assessment of their skin condition within 2–3 weeks. The efficiency of the procedure is evaluated, among other things, in terms of reporting figures (compared to historical/current controls) and various target parameters for diagnosis and care. In addition, qualitative and quantitative evaluations are carried out using a mixed-methods design among insured persons, claims handlers at accident insurance, and medical specialists (dermatology/occupational/general medicine).

Last Update: