Author
Thomas Heimann, Member of the Board of Alpha1 Germany eV.
A brief update on the status of the implementation projects for the electronic patient record (ePA).
In our last journal, we briefly outlined the original plan developed by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the implementing agencies. According to this plan, the first, less functional version of the electronic patient record (ePA) was to be available by January 1, 2021, followed by the first truly usable version on January 1, 2022.
What is the situation now, almost half a year later?
I regularly inquired at my GP's office about the capabilities of their practice management system to populate my electronic patient record (ePA). Just recently, I was met with another eye roll. It seems they're not very good at it yet.
Currently, the electronic patient record (ePA) is apparently only in a test phase with selected practices in the Berlin and Westphalia-Lippe regions. All practices are expected to be connected by July 1, 2021.
I read in a specialist article that of the approximately 150 practice management systems supposedly available in Germany, only a very small proportion are currently capable of transferring electronic patient record (ePA) data. The software industry seems to be lagging behind in updating its medical practices. The question arises: who can accelerate this process, and with what resources? The Ministry, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), or the individual physician as a contractual partner?
I've downloaded and installed my health insurance company's ePA app on my smartphone. I'm currently waiting for the PIN to arrive by mail so I can use it. However, if my doctors can't yet enter information into my ePA and I can only manually upload my own old data, it feels like I'm not gaining anything at all, just creating extra work.
The plan to make the digital vaccination record, dental bonus booklet, etc., available in the electronic patient record (ePA) from January 1st, 2022, remains interesting. Regardless of how the vaccination information is to be entered there, is this the same vaccination record that is currently being developed as a 'digital vaccination certificate' in connection with the COVID-19 vaccination? Or will I then have two digital vaccination records?
I have another appointment with my pulmonologist this week. Let's see how far things have progressed. It remains exciting!
Further information on the status of the patient file from the You can find gematik here.
