[Hospitals with the covering physician system in agglomeration].

In Switzerland there are more than 700 practising surgeons. About 50% work at private hospitals as independent doctors and have special arrangements with the clinics. Independent surgeons and private hospitals represent a mutually dependent unity, which has stood the test for over 100 years. In Zurich, there are 120 private doctors practising as general surgeons or as specialists. Independent surgeons have about 600 beds available at clinics throughout Zurich. The increasing demand for additional insurances indicates that there is a trend among patients to get private treatment. To meet this growing demand, existing hospitals must expand and new clinics have to be built. Unfortunately, independently practising doctors can only treat a limited number of hospitalized general patients. There is a balance between doctors at public hospitals and independent surgeons. In order to conserve a free, independent medical profession, this balance has to be fostered in a mutually understanding way.