Start of the electronic patient files: What are the big risks?

Start of the electronic patient files: What are the big risks?

On January 15, 2025, the electronic patient file (EPA) will be introduced in the model regions of Hamburg, Franconia and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. In this pilot phase, the advantages of the EPA for patients and doctors are to be tested. The EPA has the potential to offer a digital, lifelong file folder for health data, which is managed by doctors, hospitals and other medical facilities. This not only means an innovation for patient care, but also whispers a new standard for the exchange of medical documents. Osthessen news reports that the introduction does not come without challenges and concerns.

dr. med. Ralph Hönscher, general practitioner in Petersberg, expresses serious concerns about data security and the expectations of the patients. The EPA offers the opportunity for patients to view their data such as diagnoses, but not all findings will be available immediately. These are gradually added. Hönscher also criticizes that the doctors in the current phase have no way of testing the EPA in advance. According to his statements, the system in its current form could lead to doctors to document more, which means additional bureaucratic effort.

data security and data protection

A central topic around the electronic patient file is the security concerns. The data is stored centrally in Germany in a large cloud, which theoretically represents an increased risk of hacker attacks. The EPA is equipped with various technical security measures, which according to a lecture by Tobias Mielke from TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH. This includes encryption technologies that protect the data during transmission and storage, as well as access controls through two-factor authentication and roll-based access rights. These measures are intended to address the existing security concerns. Health Digital Forum also describes organizational security measures for the medical staff to optimize the handling of personal data.

The use of the EPA is said to be mandatory for legally insured persons who have not objected to the law and is provided by the health insurance companies. Children and adolescents are also trapped, with the parents deciding on the age of 15 whether they want to activate the EPA for their children. The patient rights are clearly defined: everyone has the right to access, correction, deletion, restricting processing and data portability. This should give users more control over their data and create a certain level of trust.

advantages and disadvantages of the EPA

The advantages of the EPA are promising. A simple exchange of medical documents could avoid double examinations and give doctors a better overview of the medical history of their patients. In addition, the change between doctors could be significantly simplified by the digitized medication plans. However, there are also disadvantages. The technical infrastructure is necessary, and people without a suitable end device have restricted access to the EPA. This could lead to a digital gap that affects access to medical services. In addition, the use of the EPA is voluntary, and it is still unclear whether the nationwide rollout can take place on February 15, 2025 as planned. Consumer center

Overall, the introduction of the EPA is at one crucial point. Their successful implementation could revolutionize patient care, but only if the technical and organizational challenges are remedied and the trust of patients can be obtained.