Überlegungen zu Struktur und Aufgaben von Universitätskliniken für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin

University pediatric and adolescent medicine is particularly important as there are clearly less non-university maximum care facilities in comparison to adult disciplines. Their tasks go far beyond the specific tasks in research and teaching.

Which structures are necessary to fulfil the tasks placed on university pediatric and adolescent medicine for the well-being of children and youth? The University Committee of the German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) considered this question in the position paper “Considerations on the structure and tasks of university clinics for pediatric and adolescent medicine”. The paper was extensively discussed in the Board of the DGKJ and during the University Teacher Convention 2024. This should represent a foundation on which concrete assignments and strategies can then be developed. This appears to be important also with respect to the discussion on the hospital reform. In addition to the care throughout the country, it must also secure the long-term viability of university pediatric and adolescent medicine as a motor for the development of diagnostic and treatment concepts. These should have an impact not only on the quality of the medical care of sick children and adolescents but also on the location of science in Germany and the health of the whole of society.