Zustandsbehandlung

Zustandsbehandlung is a term used in German-speaking healthcare to describe an approach that centers treatment on the patient’s current clinical state rather than exclusively on the disease or its underlying pathology. The aim is to stabilize vital functions, relieve acute or chronic symptoms, and preserve or improve the patient’s functional status and quality of life, especially when prognosis, goals of care, or the clinical picture can change rapidly.

Key elements of Zustandsbehandlung include a comprehensive initial assessment of the patient’s physiological state, functional and cognitive abilities, comorbidities, and personal goals. Based on this assessment, clinicians develop a dynamic, goal-oriented treatment plan that is regularly reviewed and adjusted. Interdisciplinary collaboration is typical, involving physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and families. The approach emphasizes shared decision-making, patient autonomy, and, when appropriate, palliative considerations and end-of-life planning.

Interventions in Zustandsbehandlung focus on symptom control (such as pain, dyspnea, agitation), stabilization of organ function, delirium prevention and management, rehabilitation to maintain or regain independence, and careful discharge or transition planning. The approach is commonly applied in geriatrics, palliative and transitional care, intensive care, and psychiatry, particularly for patients with multiple conditions or fluctuating clinical pictures.

Critics argue that an emphasis on the current state can risk under-treatment of underlying diseases or delay disease-modifying therapies if not balanced with disease-oriented strategies and long-term planning. Effective practice integrates state-oriented care with disease-focused treatment to ensure comprehensive, patient-centered care over time.