Successful Completion of the Practical Project in Cooperation with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Lower Saxony

Why do physicians and medical assistants spend so much time on administrative tasks - and what can be done about it? This seemingly simple question touches on a core issue within our healthcare system. While patients expect medical care, healthcare providers are increasingly confronted with bureaucratic responsibilities that consume valuable time and energy.

As part of a practical project at the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Göttingen, a team of five students explored this very issue. In collaboration with the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of Lower Saxony (KVN), they spent three months conducting interviews with physicians and medical assistants to identify realistic and actionable strategies for reducing administrative burden. The true strength of this project lay in its practical orientation: rather than abstract theories, it was grounded in the lived experiences of those working within the healthcare system.

The team’s work revealed three key areas where meaningful change could begin:

1. Simplifying and standardizing forms.
The challenge with healthcare-related forms is not just their number, but also their inconsistent design and unclear structure. Forms often contain confusing language, redundant questions, or requests for information that are irrelevant to treatment. Clear, standardized documents would reduce follow-up inquiries and save time.

2. Digitalization that genuinely improves workflows.
Despite years of discussion about digitizing healthcare, reality often looks different: printouts, scans, and manual steps still dominate many processes. What’s missing are end-to-end digital workflows, reliable interfaces, and centralized databases—tools that eliminate friction rather than create more of it.

3. A pragmatic approach to minor financial discrepancies.
One particularly striking observation from the project: even the smallest reimbursement claims—amounting to just a few euros—are reviewed individually, often at a cost that exceeds the amount in question. Raising the threshold for insignificant amounts could significantly reduce administrative effort while preserving essential oversight.

The conclusion is clear: reducing bureaucracy in healthcare is possible—if we truly listen. Not just about those affected, but with them. This project demonstrated how valuable such dialogue can be—and how students can contribute meaningfully, not only through analysis but by developing practical solutions to real-world problems.

Special thanks go to Dr. Philip Degener and Jan Luca Klenke (KVN), as well as to all participating physicians and medical assistants, whose openness and support made this project possible.