Green Party Presses Minister Warken for Swift Advancement in Digital Health Records - Electronic patient records: Greens argue for faster implementation
In a significant stride towards digitizing healthcare, Germany is set to roll out electronic patient records (ePA) for individuals with statutory health insurance, with servers located in Germany and data encrypted for privacy, starting from January 2025 [1][3]. However, the implementation and usage of ePA in the country have been a topic of discussion, with concerns about data protection and the actual benefits being realized.
One of the key initiatives in this regard is the Health Data Use Act (GDNG), adopted in December 2023. This legislation aims to make health data more accessible for research while safeguarding individual privacy rights. It allows data usage for research, including testing AI applications, with the option for individuals to object to their data being used [1].
To facilitate widespread adoption, the opt-out model for ePA has been implemented, making it mandatory unless an individual objects [1]. The German government is also providing support through initiatives like the Hospital Future Act and the Krankenhauszukunftsfonds, which are designed to support the digital transformation of healthcare infrastructure [2][3].
In terms of data protection, documents in the ePA system are end-to-end encrypted, and access is restricted to the insured person or those they authorize [1]. All data is stored in Germany and is subject to European data protection regulations, ensuring high standards of privacy and security [1]. Pseudonymization and consent are also key aspects of the system, allowing for individuals to opt out of data sharing [1].
Despite these measures, concerns persist about the low usage of ePA in Germany. Major health insurers such as AOK, Techniker, and Barmer have reported that fewer than three percent of the 70 million electronic patient records created have been used in practice [4]. Critics argue that the promised applications such as lab results, doctor's letters, or vaccination records have not been implemented [5].
The Green politician has been vocal about these concerns, criticizing the slow pace of implementation and the lack of promised applications [5]. It is up to the new minister to ensure the consistent implementation of the electronic patient record for secure and patient-friendly use [6]. Every access to the electronic patient record should be documented [7], and insured persons must be able to control who sees what in their records [8].
To address these challenges, Germany could focus on enhancing public awareness about the benefits of ePA, ensuring seamless interoperability between different healthcare systems, and continually updating data protection regulations to address emerging privacy concerns. Additionally, educating healthcare professionals in the effective use of ePA and ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process can help in widespread adoption.
The ePA remains an empty promise if the promised applications are not implemented. The promise of secure and patient-friendly use of the electronic patient record remains to be fully redeemed. The Federal Ministry of Health must quickly address improvements in protecting sensitive data to instil confidence in the system and encourage more widespread adoption.
Sources: [1] Allgemeine (Janosch Augsburger) [2] Hospital Future Act (Hospital Future Fund) [3] Krankenhauszukunftsfonds [4] AOK, Techniker, Barmer [5] Green politician [6] New minister [7] Documentation of every access [8] Control over who sees what in the electronic patient record.
The Commission could consider integrating the advancements in science, technology, and medical-conditions research to propose a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, which aligns with the Health Data Use Act's focus on AI applications in health data. Health-and-wellness benefits, such as efficient and secure access to lab results and doctor's letters, could be realized by expediting the implementation of promised applications in the electronic patient record (ePA), addressing concerns about low usage in Germany.
