[Financing Regional Dementia Networks in Germany: Determinants of Sustainable Healthcare Networks]. / Finanzierung regionaler Demenznetzwerke: Determinanten einer nachhaltigen Finanzierung am Beispiel spezialisierter Gesundheitsnetzwerke.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of practice-based financing concepts in German dementia networks (DN); Provision of sustainable financing structures and their determinants in DN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Qualitative expert interviews with leaders of 13 DN were conducted. A semi-structured interview guide was used to analyse four main topics Finance-related organization, cost, sources of funding and financial sustainability. RESULTS: DN were primarily financed by membership fees, earnings of services provided, public funds and payments by municipalities or health care providers. 63% of the DN reported a financial sustainability. Funds to support the interpersonal expanding, a mix of internal and external financing sources and investments of the municipality were determinants of a sustainable financing. Overall, DN in rural areas seemed to be disadvantaged due to a lack of potential linkable service providers. CONCLUSION: DN in urban regions are more likely able to gather sustainable funding resources. A minimum funding of 50.000 €/year for human resources coordinating the DN, seems to be a threshold for a sustainable DN.