Wilfried von Eiff

• Due to the phenomenon of the aging society, the number of patients suffering from multi-morbidity and/or chronic diseases has rapidly increased. Simultaneously, the cost-intensive progress in medical technologies leading to more precise diagnostic and innovative surgical interventions, enables treating patients with complex illnesses, as well as elderly people, more effectively._x000D_ Bearing this development in mind, it is fair to comment that patient-centered, successful medical services based on sustainable financial sources have to be organized in cross-sectoral medical networks consisting of primary care physicians, specialized clinics and rehabilitation facilities. The concept of the boundaryless hospital, in combination with the value chain approach, provides the theoretical basis for an effective and efficient network design. In this article, the nature, aims and impacts of network management in medicine are described. Furthermore, the traps and pitfalls of insufficient and inefficient network structures are discussed, and different types of network configurations, as well as limiting factors of network design are reflected. In addition, selected network concepts like the portal clinic approach, cross-sectoral contracting, managed care opportunities and emergency network designs are depicted.