The terms VERAH (Care Assistant in General Practice) and NäPA (Non-Physician Practice Assistant) refer to specially trained professionals who provide valuable support to doctors in outpatient care, including home visits. These medical professionals take on tasks usually performed by doctors, thereby contributing to more efficient and comprehensive patient care. They are active not only in nursing homes but also during home visits, treating patients with chronic illnesses, or providing preventive care for healthy individuals.

VERAH – Care Assistant in General Practice

VERAH is a specially trained assistant who supports general practitioners in the medical care of their patients. They are primarily active in outpatient care and are often utilized for home visits to perform routine examinations or simple medical tasks. The VERAH can be employed in various contexts, such as supporting general practitioners, outpatient care for chronically ill patients, or during home visits to care for elderly individuals.

Responsibilities of VERAH:

• Performing routine examinations: VERAH can conduct essential but straightforward examinations, such as measuring blood pressure, blood sugar monitoring, and electrocardiograms (ECGs).
• Coordinating home visits: They organize the doctor’s home visits, ensure the necessary information and medical materials are prepared, and handle follow-up tasks.
• Monitoring patients: VERAH monitors patients with chronic illnesses or those receiving preventive care, ensuring medication compliance and tracking their health status.
• Collecting and documenting patient data: They document health data, assess the patient’s condition, and relay the information to the attending physician.

The assistance provided by VERAH relieves general practitioners and ensures that patients receive regular and comprehensive care, particularly in rural areas or for patients unable to visit the practice.

NäPA – Non-Physician Practice Assistant

The NäPA assumes various tasks in medical practices and during home visits, directly supporting patient care. They are responsible for organizational duties and work closely with the doctor to ensure seamless care. The NäPA is specifically trained to optimize patient care and relieve doctors of administrative tasks.

Responsibilities of NäPA:

• Assisting with examinations: They support doctors during medical procedures such as blood sampling, wound care, or electrocardiograms (ECGs).
• Documentation and administration: NäPA ensures patient records are up-to-date and handles administrative tasks such as coordinating appointments and preparing for consultations.
• Patient education and counseling: They inform patients about diagnoses, treatment plans, and preventive measures, ensuring patients and their families are well-informed.
• Coordination of care: NäPA helps organize patient care, such as communicating with other healthcare providers or managing medication plans.

Collaboration Between VERAH and NäPA in Outpatient Care

The collaboration between VERAH and NäPA ensures that doctors receive optimal support in caring for their patients. Both professionals perform different tasks, allowing doctors to focus on complex diagnoses and treatments while routine and administrative tasks are efficiently managed. This ensures seamless care.
For example, during a home visit, VERAH can perform basic examinations and relay the results to the doctor, while NäPA handles the coordination of the visit and follow-up tasks. This saves time, enhances efficiency, and ensures high-quality care.

Advantages of VERAH and NäPA Support

1. Relieving doctors: By taking over administrative and diagnostic tasks, doctors can work more efficiently and focus on critical medical measures.
2. Improved patient care: Continuous and regular care by VERAH and NäPA enhances the quality of medical services, especially for chronically ill or elderly patients.
3. Optimized home visits: Their support during home visits ensures patients can be treated in their familiar environment, which is particularly beneficial for immobile or nursing-dependent individuals.
4. Faster diagnosis and treatment: Routine examinations and administrative tasks are completed more quickly, leading to faster diagnoses and treatments.

Conclusion

VERAH and NäPA are indispensable components of modern healthcare. Their support helps maintain a high standard of medical care, especially during home visits and the treatment of patients who cannot regularly visit a medical practice. Through their efficient workflows, they enable doctors to focus on essential medical tasks while ensuring patients receive comprehensive care.