Low Utilization of Electronic Patient Record Apps in Germany

The implementation of electronic patient records (EPA) is currently in a testing phase in various German regions, including Hamburg, Franconia, and North Rhine-Westphalia. A nationwide rollout is anticipated to begin in April, as health insurance funds have reportedly created over 70 million electronic patient records. This implies that nearly all individuals with statutory health insurance likely have an EPA, unless they have opted out of its creation.

Although insured individuals can access their records, the primary method for doing so is through the EPA apps provided by health insurance companies. However, recent reports from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) indicate that these applications are not widely utilized. So far, only 2.2 million digital identities, known as GesundheitsID, have been established for beneficiaries, which are essential for both setting up the EPA app and for accessing electronic prescriptions.

Currently, the EPA plays a minimal role in healthcare delivery. Participation in the testing phase is limited to approximately 50 pharmacies and 230 medical practices. Even within the model regions, the number of patients actively using the EPA remains quite small. KBV board member Sibylle Steiner noted that only a quarter of the participating practices possess an EPA module that operates without significant issues.

Despite the low engagement, the 70 million electronic patient records are not devoid of content. Data from electronic prescriptions is automatically integrated into the electronic medication lists of the EPA, a process occurring nationwide, not just in the test regions. However, the KBV highlights that technical difficulties frequently arise in this area as well. Additionally, health insurance funds are compiling a comprehensive overview of all services that insured individuals have utilized within the healthcare system, including billing data and diagnosis codes from medical practices.

Patients also have the option to upload older medical documents, such as doctor's letters, into their EPAs independently. Nonetheless, this process requires the appropriate app and a GesundheitsID to function.