German Health Ministry Targets Stronger Digital Health Infrastructure

The Federal Ministry of Health has outlined a comprehensive strategy to enhance the stability and reliability of Germany's digital health infrastructure. Speaking at the Digital Health Conference 2025 in Berlin, the ministry presented its ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening telematics systems, advancing digital applications, and improving patient care through technology-driven solutions.

The health ministry underscored the pivotal role that digital solutions already play in healthcare and long-term care settings. Effective adoption of digital technologies, according to officials, has the potential to increase efficiency, streamline processes, and improve the overall quality of care for patients and providers alike.

Central to the ministry's digital agenda is the continuous development of the Telematics Infrastructure (TI), which supports key applications such as electronic prescriptions (E-prescription) and the electronic patient record (ePA). The ministry is working to improve operational stability and minimize downtime for these systems. The next phase, known as TI 2.0, is expected to simplify the system's architecture, thereby further enhancing reliability and reducing complexity for end users.

In its digitalization initiatives, the ministry is prioritizing solutions that deliver tangible benefits within the healthcare process. Current projects involve evaluating how digital triage tools and electronic referrals could be implemented to optimize resource allocation and improve information exchange among healthcare professionals.

Efforts are also underway to introduce a primary care system where initial assessments are conducted by general practitioners. Recognizing the shortage of primary care physicians in some regions, the ministry is exploring digital triage solutions as an integral component to ensure timely and effective patient evaluation. Digital tools are set to play a key role in facilitating access to healthcare services, including fair appointment scheduling and streamlined entry points for patients navigating the health system.

The electronic patient record is considered a cornerstone of Germany's digital health transformation. The health ministry is focused on expanding the functionality and usability of the ePA in the coming years. The goal is to increase the volume and quality of structured information available within the system, empowering both patients and healthcare providers with reliable data to support medical decision-making. Collaboration with industry partners is emphasized, with the aim of delivering practice-ready, user-friendly systems for medical practices and clinics.

These initiatives align with broader reform efforts to build a resilient and future-ready healthcare system in Germany. The health ministry is also considering reforms in pharmaceutical supply and pharmacy services, with a view to strengthening the infrastructure in light of financial constraints. Additionally, the recently inaugurated research data center in Berlin is expected to further support scientific and medical research by providing access to large-scale health data, including future integration with the electronic patient record.

Overall, the ministry's digital health strategy reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for improved healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and system efficiency, while ensuring secure, stable, and user-centric solutions across the healthcare landscape.