Table 1 Components of the cardiology care programme.

Structured disease management

Promotion of guideline-recommended care

New ambulatory medical services e.g., electrical cardioversion, specially trained healthcare assistants

Morbidity-adapted reimbursement

Incentives for repeat consultations in critical clinical situations and evidence-based pharmacotherapy

Adherence to quality requirements e.g. in diagnostics, a minimum of 100 echocardiograms must be carried out per quarter

Continuous data-driven quality improvement

Participation in clinical peer group training sessions e.g. in drug therapy

Coordinated care pathways with standardised communication between general practitioners and cardiologists

Patient education and emphasis on nationwide disease management programmes

Appointments for regular referrals within two weeks, and urgent referrals the same day