Societal Transformation as a Challenge for Health Care

Background

Societal and economic transformation processes pose major challenges to the health systems of many countries. Demographic change increases demand for health care services due to an aging population and rising multimorbidity. At the same time, labor shortages are creating bottlenecks in care delivery and increasing strain, necessitating task shifting, new role profiles, and digital support.

Low-threshold prevention, general practitioner gatekeeping models, digitally supported triage, and clear care pathways are intended to avoid overuse, underuse, and misuse of care. Technological innovations promise gains in quality and efficiency but also drive high treatment costs while public budgets remain constrained.

Against this backdrop, renowned experts from science and practice will discuss future reform options for health systems in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland at an interdisciplinary symposium.

Event Details

📍 JKU MED Campus Linz (medLOFT)

🗓 Thursday, 21 May 2026, 12:30 PM – Friday, 22 May 2026, 3:00 PM

🎓 Scientific Director: Prof. Gerald Pruckner

Funding: Atlas Research Foundation (Director Prof. Friedrich Schneider)

Thematic Focus Areas of the Symposium

Session 1: Demography and Health

The first session explores the impact of demographic change on disease patterns and care systems. Focus is placed on epidemiological trends in neurological, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases and their socioeconomic background. In addition, questions of reforming long-term care insurance in Germany and the links between demography, health, and overall economic development will be discussed.

Session 2: Health and the Labor Market

This session is devoted to the relationship between the health system and the labor market. Topics include labor shortages in the care sector, structural bottlenecks in health care, and the interactions between health shocks and labor market participation.

Session 3: Care Coordination and Demand Management

The third session focuses on steering patient flows in outpatient care. Models of patient steering in Germany will be discussed, as well as co-financing models and their suitability for influencing utilization behavior.

Session 4: Costs, Benefits, and Medical Innovation

The fourth session addresses health system financing and the contribution of medical innovations to patient welfare. Questions of public financing and the distribution of responsibilities in inpatient care will also be addressed.

Panel Discussion

The symposium will conclude by synthesizing the central findings and examining potential reform pathways for health systems across the DACH region.

Organizational Notes

The symposium is designed as a focused professional exchange and takes place by invitation only.

For further information, please contact office@atlasresearchfoundation.org .