health data - Study: Large approval for electronic patient file
The electronic patient file (ePA) in Germany is reportedly accepted by a wide portion of the population according to a survey. In a survey commissioned by the Digital Association Bitkom, 71 percent of the respondents stated that they already use or will use the ePA in the future.
Skeptically, about one quarter of the respondents are currently still hesitant: they answered the question "Do you want to use the electronic patient file?" with "No, never" (8 percent) or "Rather not" (18 percent). In a comparable Bitkom survey from a year ago, the rejection was significantly higher: more than one third of the respondents (37 percent) were still opposing the central project of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) at that time.
The ePA is a digital, lifelong health data folder for documents such as doctor's letters, medication plans, lab results, and X-ray images. Both doctors' practices and insured parties can deposit documents in it. This is intended to simplify doctor's visits or the exchange of documents between doctors' practices, pharmacies, and clinics. As of January 15, 2025, every health insurance patient should have an electronic record - unless they object.
High expectations for the ePA
Users of an ePA promise themselves above all that they can make all treating doctors their health data available (89 percent). In addition, many ePA proponents believe that with the electronic health record, safety is increased, for example through a coordinated medication plan (77 percent).
ePA skeptics justify their rejection mainly with the fear that their health data could fall into the wrong hands (59 percent). They feel somewhat uninformed themselves (50 percent). Two thirds of all respondents say they agree to the use of anonymized data from the ePA for better research (66 percent).
The basis for the information is a telephone survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the Digital Association in May and June. A total of 1,140 people in Germany aged 16 and over were interviewed.
Almost everyone knows the E-Prescription
The E-Prescription, in which a smartphone app, a printed QR code, or the health insurance card is used instead of the usual pink slip to submit the prescription, is known to almost everyone in Germany (98 percent). 77 percent have already used an E-Prescription. 83 percent say: "It went smoothly". Most prefer to use their health insurance card in the pharmacy (54 percent). 20 percent prefer their Smartphone or tablet for submitting the prescription. 8 percent prefer to submit the E-Prescription digitally on the website or in the app of an online pharmacy. Only a minority want to go back to paper (14 percent).
Bitkom Vice President Christina Raab said that the German population considers the digitalization of the healthcare sector to be correct. "They encounter hurdles in their daily dealings with digital technologies and applications in healthcare." Almost everyone and everyone else (48 percent) feels overwhelmed by the digitalization in healthcare. "Whether electronic patient files, E-Prescriptions, or Artificial Intelligence in medicine: We need to strengthen the competencies for dealing with digital healthcare technologies and applications", demanded Raab.
The peak association of statutory health insurance (GKV) values the survey results as "a boost, to drive the digitalization of the healthcare sector forward". In particular, the electronic patient file is a huge opportunity. "It now comes down to aligning all parties involved, from pharmacies via the medical profession to hospitals, with the health insurance funds, so that the practical benefit reaches the around 75 million statutorily insured individuals as quickly as possible," said Florian Lanz, spokesperson for the GKV-Peak Association.
Bitkom Study
- The future of health data in Germany might be significantly influenced by the acceptance of the electronic patient file (ePA), as indicated by a recent Bitkom Survey.
- A notable shift in attitudes towards the ePA was observed in the survey, with only 8% and 18% of respondents expressing hesitancy, compared to 37% in the previous year.
- In the digital realm, the ePA serves as a comprehensive, lifelong health data folder for various medical documents, aiming to simplify interactions between doctors, pharmacies, and clinics in Germany.
- The Bitkom Study revealed that nearly all respondents (89%) believe that the ePA will allow them to share their health data with all treating doctors, enhancing the coordination of their healthcare.
- Digitalization in healthcare is widely accepted in Germany, according to Bitkom Vice President Christina Raab, who also highlighted the challenges individuals face in navigating digital healthcare technologies.
- Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Health Minister, and the Peak Association of Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) view the survey results as an opportunity to expedite the digitalization of the healthcare sector, particularly in relation to the ePA.
- To foster competencies in dealing with digital healthcare technologies, Christina Raab advocated for strengthening digital literacy among the population, including the use of ePAs, E-Prescriptions, and Artificial Intelligence in medicine.
