Revolutionizing Healthcare: The Soft-Start of ePA in Germany
Improving E-patient Records through 'Soft-Start': Overview of Advantages - E-patient file soft launch: Details explained
The arrival of electronic patient records (ePA) has been a long time coming in Germany. With a nationwide launch officially kicked off at the start of the year, this digital storage is set to revolutionize the way health data is managed for millions of citizens. Although most people might not have noticed much change so far, that's about to change with a "soft-start" ramping up across the country.
What's new?
As of January 15, over 74 million insured individuals have received their ePA from their health insurance providers, with the option to opt-out. However, the practical application of the ePA in medical facilities has been limited to test phases in three regions: Hamburg and surrounding areas, Franconia, and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. After the completion of this pilot phase, nationwide adoption is on the horizon.
How will the rollout unfold?
There's no imminent full-scale rollout; instead, the transition will be gradual. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) likens it to a "soft start": some practices can adopt the ePA immediately, while others may need additional time to install a module and update their software. This process is expected to take several weeks, according to the majority state-owned digital agency Gematik. Initially, the use of ePA will be on a voluntary basis, with a legal obligation coming into effect on October 1.
E-Patient Records: The Game Changer
For outgoing Federal Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach (SPD), the ePA marks a "turning point" in digitalization. "Patients now have an overview of their data, and doctors can make better decisions with this information at hand." In the past, patients often presented medical facilities with printouts or lacked necessary documents. The primary goal is to centralize disjointed or missing data, thereby enabling better treatments and reducing unnecessary tests and medication interactions.
Functionality for Patients
Patients can access their ePA, though it is not mandatory. They can view their records via an app provided by their health insurance company, accessible on smartphones. Insured persons are encouraged to engage actively with the ePA, as Jens Baas, CEO of Techniker Krankenkasse suggests. "Doing so enables patients to see what data is stored in their record and be more informed about their health."
Permissions and Privacy Settings
With the ePA, patients can control what data goes into their record and who has access to it. Permissions can be specified per interaction, with settings made via the app. Relatives can manage the app on behalf of those unable or unwilling to do so themselves. Children receive an ePA, but sensitive information cannot be entered for their protection.
Beyond Testing: Additions to the ePA
From the beginning, a list of medications should be included in the ePA, auto-generated from the common e-prescriptions. Moving forward, a medication plan with information on drug dosages will be added, as well as other treatment data that physicians deem essential.
Making Informed Decisions: Managing ePA Content
Patients have agency over their ePA content. If they wish to exclude certain information, they must communicate this request in the practice setting. For sensitive data, patients must be explicitly informed of their rights and options for exclusion.
Security Measures
Lauterbach emphasizes, "Security is our top priority," assuring that additional measures have been implemented to address security concerns, particularly those raised by the Chaos Computer Club during the test phase. Data is stored on servers within Germany, and every ePA access is logged with a date and time stamp. For the first login in the app, insured persons need an electronic ID with PIN, or they can obtain the eHealth card with PIN from their insurer upon request.
Approval and Rejection?
Despite the rollout of ePA, only around 95% of individuals have opted to receive the ePA, suggesting a minority reject its implementation. Consumer advocates are skeptical about the level of support, as they believe some may not fully understand the implications of accepting the ePA.
The Future of Research and Data Collection
As the ePA becomes more widely adopted, researchers anticipate greater access to large datasets that can be analyzed using artificial intelligence, potentially leading to significant advancements in public health research. Insured individuals can object to the use of their data for research purposes within the app or through a complaints office at their health insurance company.
- In EC countries, the implementation of electronic patient records (ePA) is expected to revolutionize healthcare, with Germany leading the way.
- As the ePA rollout unfolds, patients will have the ability to view their records via an app, with the option to control what data goes into their record and who has access to it.
- Beyond the initial list of medications, additions to the ePA include a medication plan with information on drug dosages, as well as other treatment data deemed essential by physicians.
- With the ePA, there are enhanced security measures in place, such as data being stored on servers within Germany, and every ePA access being logged with a date and time stamp, to ensure the privacy and security of health data.
