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ePA in everyday life: Family doctor reports on opportunities and challenges!
A family doctor in Saxony-Anhalt reports on the possibilities and challenges of the electronic patient file since its introduction.
ePA in everyday life: Family doctor reports on opportunities and challenges!
In recent months, the electronic patient record (ePA) has become increasingly important in Germany. Thomas Dörrer, a family doctor from Teutschenthal in the Saalekreis and vice president of the Saxony-Anhalt Medical Association, has been working with this digital solution for six months. In an interview, he describes his experiences and provides insights into the challenges of implementation in everyday practice. According to [MDR].
The ePA makes it possible to store and manage patient-relevant information digitally. But depending on the practice software used, the usefulness varies considerably. Dörrer himself gets along well, but notices that the work is noticeably more complex. “It takes about 20 to 40 seconds to upload a letter,” he explains. With a daily number of patients of 80, this additional effort can add up to half an hour to 40 minutes, although this does not always have to be the case. Despite these challenges, the doctor supports the use of the EHR because it improves patient care in the long term.
Information for insured persons
As the Federal Ministry of Health notes, health insurance companies are obliged to provide insured persons with comprehensive information about the ePA. This includes how it works, the information that can be stored and the rights of the insured. Physicians are also required to inform patients about the data stored in the EHR and how they can object to the transmission and storage of their information. This obligation to provide information is particularly important when it comes to potentially sensitive or stigmatizing data.
From 2025, the ePA will become the rule for all legally insured people, unless they actively object. Some private health insurance companies have also already started introducing this digital solution. Health apps that support treatment are already available by prescription and telemedicine can increasingly replace doctor's visits. A network of practices, clinics and pharmacies enables the secure exchange of this information via the so-called telematics infrastructure.
Digital networking in healthcare
The goal of this digital revolution in healthcare is clear: comprehensive networking of all those involved in order to make the necessary information directly available. The Gesundheitsportal emphasizes that technologies are used to protect patient data. Numerous laws support this process, including the E-Health Act, which introduces digital medical applications, and the Digital Care Act, which promotes the use of health apps.
For the Saxony-Anhalt hospital company, however, the ePA is currently not yet integrated into the hospitals' normal day-to-day care, and emergency services do not yet have access. This shows that there are still some challenges to be overcome in the full implementation of EHR in healthcare. But the progress is encouraging and gives hope for a future in which patient care will be significantly improved through digital technologies.