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Discussion: Few Disclose Electronic Medical Records Discussion to Physicians

Electronic health records have been established for those insured individuals who haven't explicitly opted out. Yet, this matter seldom comes up in doctors' consultations.

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4 min read
Electronic health records have been established for those with valid insurance and no objections....
Electronic health records have been established for those with valid insurance and no objections. However, this issue seldom surfaces during doctor-patient consultations.

Getting a Grip on Germany's Digital Health Folders

Discussion: Few Disclose Electronic Medical Records Discussion to Physicians

Munich (dpa/tmn) - The digital health folder, otherwise known as the ePA (electronic patient record), has officially entered the rollout phase since late April. This means that institutions like medical practices and clinics can now store doctor's letters, test results, and findings in the digital health folder. Initially, this is on a voluntary basis, but come October 1, they will be required to do so.

By early 2025, statutory health insurers will have established electronic patient records for their insured individuals - unless they have opted out. To access and engage with the ePA, patients are advised to download their health insurer's app, go through the registration process, and, voila, they're all set to view documents and even upload their own health information.

That being said, as the ePA rolls out, it seems it hasn't quite made its way into our daily healthcare routines, as indicated by a recent YouGov survey commissioned by SBK Siemens Betriebskrankenkasse, with 2,050 participants.

An ePA Eye-opener: A Disconnect at the Doctor's Office

The results suggest that the majority of respondents have not yet discussed the ePA with their healthcare providers, neither doctors, nurses, nor practice staff. Only 9% report being asked in the doctor's office if they'd like to use the ePA, while just 4% proactively inquired as to whether their findings or doctor's letters could be stored in the document.

Yet, it appears patients would like more communication about the ePA in their medical visits, with almost two-thirds (63%) expressing a desire for proactive information about the ePA while at the doctor's office.

The ePA: Still a Novelty for Many

There is still considerable uncertainty surrounding the ePA, and not everyone has fully embraced the concept. Only one in five respondents (21%) say they are actively using the record or plan to do so soon. More than half (56%) have not yet opted out of the ePA setup but have yet to actively engage with it.

There are various reasons behind this. Forty-six percent of those not actively using the ePA claim they have yet to have the opportunity to deal with it. Forty percent see no current need, and 16% explain that their doctor's office does not yet utilize the ePA. A smaller proportion (8%) find the registration process too complicated.

The survey was carried out from May 23 to 25, 2025.

A Dig deeper: The Electronic Patient Record in Germany

As of January 2025, individuals with statutory health insurance in Germany (approximately 73 million people) are automatically assigned an electronic patient record (ePA) unless they opt out[1]. Despite the widespread availability of the ePA system at the national level, the exact rate of active usage remains undisclosed.

General concerns about the ePA adoption in Germany include data security concerns, interoperability issues, and regulatory preferences[2][4]. These factors could pose potential barriers to the active use of ePAs despite their wide availability, with the new Health Data Use Act (GDNG) aiming to balance individual privacy concerns with the benefits of using health data for research and development, potentially impacting usage patterns over time[1].

  1. The digital health folder, or ePA, has entered the rollout phase, allowing institutions to store health records.
  2. By 2025, statutory health insurers will have established electronic patient records for their insured individuals.
  3. To access the ePA, patients must download their health insurer's app and go through the registration process.
  4. The ePA hasn't yet integrated into daily healthcare routines, as suggested by a recent survey.
  5. Most respondents have not discussed the ePA with their healthcare providers.
  6. Only 9% were asked about using the ePA in the doctor's office, while 4% proactively inquired.
  7. Six3% of respondents want proactive information about the ePA during medical visits.
  8. Only 21% are actively using the ePA or plan to do so soon.
  9. Half of the respondents have not yet engaged with the ePA, citing a lack of opportunity.
  10. Forty% see no current need for the ePA, and 16% claim their doctor's office does not use it.
  11. Eight% find the registration process too complicated.
  12. As of January 2025, approximately 73 million people in Germany have an ePA unless they opt out.
  13. General concerns about ePA adoption include data security, interoperability, and regulatory issues.
  14. The Health Data Use Act aims to balance privacy concerns with the benefits of using health data for research and development.
  15. This could potentially impact usage patterns over time.
  16. Chronic diseases, cancers, respiratory conditions, digestive health issues, eye health, hearing problems, and skin conditions are some medical conditions that could benefit from electronic health records.
  17. Fitness and exercise, sexual health, autoimmune disorders, mental health, men's health, women's health, and aging are crucial aspects of health and wellness addressed in the ePA.
  18. Therapies and treatments, nutrition, and weight management are components of personal health that can be tracked in the ePA.
  19. Climate change, neurological disorders, environmental science, finance, and investing are external factors impacting health that can be studied through the data in the ePA.
  20. Mental health, lifestyle, fashion and beauty, food and drink, home and garden, business, personal finance, gadgets, data and cloud computing, technology, artificial intelligence, relationships, pets, travel, cars, books, shopping, social media, movies and TV, and entertainment form various aspects of life that can benefit from the ePA's data analysis.
  21. The ePA rollout serves as an opportunity for the workplace-wellness industry to promote best practices for using electronic health records in the workplace.
  22. Medical conditions, chronic diseases, and environmental factors like climate change can impact cardiovascular health, showing the importance of early detection and prevention through the ePA.
  23. The ePA can help identify and manage skin conditions, highlighting its relevance to skin care and dermatological treatments.
  24. The Mediciad system in Germany can utilize ePA data to provide comprehensive health services, improving health outcomes for the elderly and those with disabilities.
  25. CBD (cannabidiol) products can be used to manage certain health conditions, and the ePA can help track their effectiveness.
  26. The ePA's data can be used for research on neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
  27. The ePA can help address the issue of data silos in the medical industry, promoting better communication and collaboration between healthcare providers.
  28. The ePA rollout underscores the importance of cybersecurity in digital health, ensuring the protection of sensitive health information from cyber threats.

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