Necessary Changes in Healthcare of German-Speaking Countries

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly gained urgency in Germany for implementation of new structures in healthcare sector to take care of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. The shortage of skilled healthcare workers, which has already been discussed before the pandemic situation, has become more tangible than ever. Society relies on a properly working healthcare system, especially in a pandemic like the one we now witness. After the comparatively mild course of the first COVID-19 wave in Germany, the interest in long overdue changes decreased. The second wave of the pandemic occurred in Germany as well. Also, in the meantime of the first and the second wave, numerous findings were collected and presented, where changes could have an effect. To motivate going forward, the text describes John P. Kotter's model of change management, eight steps to describe necessary changes in organizations and leadership in the German healthcare system.