[Changes in the spectrum of the health services contract and effects on general practice, hospitals and clinics--from the viewpoint of the established surgeon].

The provisions of medical care on an outpatient basis, as outlined in section 75 of the German SGB V, and on an inpatient basis, as defined in section 4 of the BPfIV 95, are differentiated quantitatively and qualitatively. Possible developments with regard to patient referral from the general practitioner to the specialist to the hospital, resulting from the introduction of the electronic chip card, are discussed. The potential consequences for the scope of patient care provided by hospitals are pointed out.