Der Hamburger Strahlenskandal: Geschichte, Hintergründe und Auswirkungen unter Berücksichtigung der Perspektive von Klinikpersonal

Abstract

In 1993 the director of the Radiotherapy Department of the University Hospital of Hamburg was accused of malpractice in radiological treatment. Experts insinuated that an agressive concept of radiotherapy with high doses was responsible for severe side effects from which many patients were suffering. The author of this thesis demonstrates that the so called Strahlenskandal (radiation-scandal) may be regarded as a production of the media but it also refers to severe problems of the modern health system.Several problems are pointed out:The potential of modern medicine is overestimated. There is a deficit of the development and reliability of medical standards. An important issue seems to be the doctor-patient-relationship implying hopes and disappointments on both sides. Furthermore there are structural conditions contributing to the fact that the scandal could happen such as the emphasis of technology and the specialisation of medical tasks, the hierarchical structures in hospitals and the strong separation of the hospital sector from other institutions of the health care system, which might be unique for Germany.