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Digitization in healthcare

"Watson, come here. I need you." These are said to have been the first words spoken over a telephone. This telephone call, and therefore the first emergency call, took place on March 10, 1876 between Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson. What does this have to do with digitization in healthcare? At first glance, perhaps not very much, but doctors, scientists and researchers have since then given a lot of thought to how these new technological possibilities can also be used for the medical care of the population in a meaningful way.

Digitization in healthcare
Wie kann die medizinische Versorgung der Bevölkerung digitalisiert werden?

In principle, the corresponding ideas for using new or future technical possibilities for medical care have been around for a long time. The first concrete activities in this area were undertaken by the American space agency NASA in the 1950s to provide medical care for its astronauts in space from Earth. For this purpose, vital data such as heart rate and pulse were transmitted from space to the control station.

Digital health
Klicken Sie auf das Bild, um die Großansicht zu öffnen.


But there were also earthly approaches:
For example, the transmission of X-ray images between two hospitals using television transmission technology.

As the accompanying diagram shows, work continued on corresponding solutions in the second half of the 20th century.

But it was not until the widespread use of modern and powerful computer systems that development picked up speed.

Digitization in the German healthcare system

Germany was active here at a very early stage, launching an ambitious project shortly after the turn of the millennium: The electronic health card (eGK) and its associated components. Originally, the German population was to have an eGK in their hands by 2010 and be able to use functions of the telematics infrastructure such as e-prescription, electronic file or e-doctor's letter. The project was delayed, so that although electronic health cards were issued a few years later, the associated services had not yet been developed.

Parallel to this, telemedicine has developed considerably. Due to the increasing miniaturization and performance of IT hardware, there were in the years around 2010 already the first telemedical applications also for home use. It was now possible to transmit vital data such as blood pressure or weight to the responsible physician from home, or to perform remotely monitored rehabilitation exercises.

Since about four years ago, the topic has gained significant momentum, and the Corona pandemic has shown that offers such as video consultation hours or digital sick notes are definitely accepted by patients as well as physicians. The German healthcare system is certainly one of the best in the world in terms of quality of care. But it is also one of the most complex. Many different stakeholders such as health insurance companies, associations, self-governing bodies, politicians, etc. are actively involved in healthcare policy. In the meantime, however, all those involved have recognized the added value that digital healthcare solutions can offer and are now, for the most part, pulling in the same direction.

It is not for nothing that, since 2017, around 28 new laws have been introduced to date that contain digital topics in healthcare, or six laws that even have their focus on the digitization of healthcare. The "Digital Health Care Act" (DVG), which for the first time created the possibility to reimburse digital health applications (DiGA) in standard care, is certainly worth highlighting here. Finally, in early May 2021, the Digital Delivery and Care Modernization Act (DVPMG) was also passed, which is also intended to put digital health care applications (DiPA) on this path.

Electronic Patient Record (ePA)

The most interesting current application of the telematics infrastructure is the electronic patient record (ePA). Statutory insurees have been entitled to use an ePA since the beginning of 2021, and productive operation will begin later this year after a test phase. The ePA is provided free of charge by the respective health insurance company as an app and can be installed on mobile devices, such as one's own smartphone or a tablet. However, those who cannot or do not want to use the app can also use the file directly in the doctor's office or with other service providers by means of the electronic health card and a PIN.

It serves the purpose of bringing together the various medical data from the doctor's office, hospital, etc. transparently in one place. The advantage of this is that the various medical professionals involved in the care process can obtain a quick and easy overview of the patient's state of health, existing illnesses, prescribed medication, etc. This makes care more comprehensive and safer. This makes care more comprehensive and safer. In addition, the treating party is actively involved in health care by deciding for themselves which information is uploaded to the record and who may access it.

The establishment and use of an ePA is voluntary for patients:

  • So they can access their health data - such as their electronic medication plan (eMP) - online at any time.
  • Together with the electronic health card, which also acts as a key for the ePA, the emergency record, but also the issued e-prescription are always at hand.
  • This enables location-independent optimal care.

Also the Theme Platform Digital Health/Medicine appreciates this technical possibility. The electronic patient record together with the electronic health card are the secure digital home for medical documents and thus the key to modern healthcare. The Digital Health/Medicine Topic Platform will continue to inform about new technologies and trends and promote development activities, always true to the motto: "From the digitization of healthcare to health through digitization !"

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Sebastian Hilke

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Sebastian Hilke
+49 911 20671-231
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Head of Innovation network Health, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, Nuremberg

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