[The role of medical care centres in outpatient healthcare for adults with disabilities-a qualitative case study of two medical care centres].

Authors

Thorsten Meyer-Feil, Jana Stucke, Cornelia Weiß

Published in

Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz. Jul 14, 2026. Epub Jul 14, 2026.

Abstract

Since 2015, German social law has facilitated the founding of outpatient healthcare centres for adults with intellectual and multiple disabilities (MZEBs). MZEBs have emerged in a field characterized by tension between the need for an inclusive regular healthcare, which should be open to everyone, and special needs that must be provided in specialised centres. The target groups of MZEBs are still equivocal. One central aim of the research project called MeZEB funded by the German innovation fund was to get a better understanding of the role MZEBs play in healthcare based on daily care practice.
Qualitative comparative case study of two MZEBs from 2019-2022 with a mixed-methods design and a qualitative main study, including open interviews at two timepoints with persons with disability or with their relatives or professional caregivers. Participatory observation of practice, focus groups with the MZEB team and expert interviews were also completed.
Users had high expectations of MZEBs due to negative experiences in outpatient standard care. Use of MZEBs showed substantial variation-from single consultations to long-term continuous use. MZEBs play an important role in providing access to special therapies and medical aids through interdisciplinary counselling and socio-medical diagnostics and assessment. MZEBs offered relief in terms of time, organisation and emotion and had the potential to improve individual care. At the same time, there are indications of ambivalent attitudes towards MZEBs as well as further unserved needs.
The examined MZEBs differed fundamentally in terms of their task profile and approach to care. Therefore, it follows that patients and their relatives are unclear of what services can be expected from an MZEB. The option of being able to treat patients themselves and having a stronger focus on regional care needs and closer cooperation between MZEBs seem sensible.

PMID:
42446698
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Jul 2026.

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