Germany's ePA System Now Mandatory for Doctors, Benefiting 70 Million
Germany's electronic patient record (ePA) system has seen significant progress. As of October 1, 2023, it's mandatory for doctors to use it. Around 70 million insured individuals have received an ePA since January 2023.
The ePA includes a list of medications and will eventually detail dosage information. It's voluntary for patients, who can choose to exclude certain data. Around 61,600 medical practices have already adopted it, representing over 93% of practices equipped with the necessary technology.
Data in the ePA is stored securely on German servers, with every access logged. Patients can view their records using an app provided by their health insurance company. In a later stage, pseudonymized data will be used for research purposes, with patients having the right to object.
The ePA's widespread adoption and secure data handling ensure that German patients have easy access to their medical records. Future research use will further enhance healthcare insights, with patient consent being paramount.
