Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Project

Study on e-health in Germany: development prospects and international comparison

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For years, the digital transformation of the German healthcare system has been on the agenda to ensure and improve the quality of care, especially in underserved or structurally weak areas, and to contribute to patient autonomy. However, implementation is slow, even though the German healthcare system is one of the most expensive in Europe. The study “E-Health in Germany” traced the development of the digital transformation of the German healthcare system and identified the reasons for the still low uptake. Based on the study results, 13 recommendations for further shaping and promoting the digital transformation were also developed.

The study “E-Health in Germany” examined the state of the digital transformation of the German healthcare system in an international comparison and developed recommendations for its further organisation. To this end, the development of the digital transformation over the past two decades was traced, causes for the still low level of digitalisation were identified, the implementation status of relevant legislative initiatives was examined and obstacles to implementation are identified. The study also looked at non-legislative initiatives, evaluated data protection and cyber security aspects and examined e-health business models. Potential for improvement and innovation was identified, among other things, by comparing Germany with Denmark, Estonia, Spain and Austria. Finally, recommendations for action for the future design of the digital transformation were derived. In order to capture the complex subject of the study, it focused on five central applications: the telematics infrastructure (TI), telemedicine, electronic patient records (ePA), digital health applications (DiGAs, i.e. apps on prescription) and the electronic prescription (e-prescription).

Duration

9/2021 – 3/2022