Gematik Reports Progress on Digital Health Strategy Implementation

Digital applications are increasingly essential in healthcare delivery. Approximately 500 stakeholders from the healthcare sector collaboratively developed a comprehensive digitalization strategy, which was unveiled to the public in March 2023. The primary objectives of this strategy include aligning digitalization with human needs, enhancing patient empowerment, improving the quality of care, and increasing economic efficiency. Gematik plays a pivotal role in executing this strategy and has recently released an interim report on its progress.

According to the report, Gematik has initiated 90% of the planned measures outlined in the strategy and is largely on schedule. A notable success highlighted in the report is the E-Prescription, which has now become a standard practice in medication supply.

The digitalization strategy set forth by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) emphasizes the deployment of technologies and digital solutions where they demonstrably enhance care and support. Successful implementations include 677 million E-Prescriptions redeemed, 58 Digital Health Applications (DiGA) introduced, and the upcoming electronic patient file (EPA).

Another critical goal of the digital strategy is to generate and utilize high-quality data to improve care and support research initiatives. A key measure mentioned in the report is the establishment of a Health Research Data Center, set to commence operations later this year. This center will facilitate the analysis of billing data from statutory health insurances and will eventually integrate data from the EPA. The report also positively highlights additional initiatives, such as the consolidation of cancer registry data.

The report notes a third significant aim of the digital strategy: optimizing administrative processes and enhancing cross-sector communication. Examples of successful implementations include medication lists in the EPA, simplified digital applications for psychotherapy, and the TI Messenger. Hospitals are also becoming increasingly digital, with digital discharge management significantly improving communication with follow-up physicians and care facilities.

In its outlook, the report emphasizes that the German healthcare system is currently undergoing a digital transformation. Digital topics are expected to gain even greater importance in the future. Gematik underscores the significance of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), which aims to establish a unified European legal framework for the provision and use of electronic health data in care and research by 2027. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) is anticipated to play a crucial role in the near future.