Germany Mandates Electronic Patient Records, Boosting Care and Research
Germany's electronic patient records (ePRs) have seen a significant uptake, with over 70 million insured persons now having access to their ePR via an app from their insurance company. Since Wednesday, it has been mandatory for doctors to enter important data into these digital records, enhancing patient care and information exchange. As of October 1, 2023, around 61,600 medical practices, including dental practices and pharmacies, had already adopted ePRs, with approximately 93 percent of practices now technically equipped to use the app store for ePR access. This transition ensures secure data storage on servers in Germany, with every access logged with date and time, and an electronic ID card or e-health card with PIN required for the first login to the app. Patients can now access their ePR via an app from their care credit provider, with around 1.37 million patients having done so at Techniker Krankenkasse, AOK, and Barmer, resulting in 45 million ePRs created. The ePR includes a list of medications created automatically from e-prescriptions and will soon include a medication plan with dosage information. In the future, data from ePRs will be forwarded to a central location for research purposes, with usage objected to in the app or at an ombudsman's office of the insurance company. The ePR system is expected to improve information exchange between clinics and pharmacies, with mandatory use for doctors, psychotherapists, pharmacies, and hospitals as of October 1, 2025. This will also involve hospital reforms, leading to closures and mergers to reduce overcapacity and improve care quality. The mandatory use of ePRs in practices is anticipated to boost the system's potential, as stated by the CEO of Techniker Krankenkasse. While patients can decide which doctors can access their data and what should not be visible, consumer advocates have raised concerns about detailed control options. The secure and efficient ePR system is set to enhance patient care and research in Germany.
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