Blog post Electronic patient file (ePA)

The introduction of the electronic patient record (EPR) is intended to improve the coordination of patient care and avoid unnecessary duplication of examinations. The aim is to make care more efficient and patient-oriented. This patient file will be created automatically for all people with statutory health insurance in January 2025, unless they object. The ePA is a digital version of personal patient data. It makes it possible to store health information centrally and manage it easily. This includes, for example, diagnostic reports and doctor's letters, operation reports or information on recommended therapy as well as information on previous illnesses and medication taken. Doctors, therapists and other healthcare providers can thus access important patient data more quickly and share it as required. The introduction of the ePA brings numerous benefits. One benefit is the improvement in patient care. Quick access to up-to-date health data means that diagnoses can be made more accurately and quickly. This reduces errors and leads to better tracking of treatments. In addition, the ePA is linked to the e-prescription, creating a digital overview of medication. This supports the process from prescribing to dispensing a medicine and can prevent unwanted interactions. Another advantage is the time saved. Important information is available anytime and anywhere, which significantly reduces bureaucratic effort. This enables more efficient collaboration between different healthcare facilities and saves valuable time. You can also view your medical data yourself from anywhere You can also manage access to your personal medical data yourself. You are always free to define and monitor who has which access rights and to modify them. This allows you to deny access to individual doctors if, for example, sensitive or confidential health data is involved. Insured persons can access their ePA and manage their data via their health insurer's ePA app. Data security is a key issue with the ePA. Various measures are taken to protect sensitive data. These include encrypted transmissions and strict access controls. However, patient acceptance and trust are also crucial to the success of the EPR. The electronic patient record (EPR) is a significant step towards the digitalization of the healthcare system. It offers numerous advantages, but also brings challenges. With the right implementation and the trust of patients, the eHR can revolutionize the healthcare system and contribute to improved care.