Digital patient files: concerns and challenges in healthcare!

Digital patient files: concerns and challenges in healthcare!

The test phase of the electronic patient file (EPA) has started, and up to 300 medical practices, pharmacies and hospitals from Franconia, Hamburg and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia bring the new system into everyday care. The EPA is supported by Dr. Stefan Spieren, a doctor from turning. At the same time, Dr. Martin Junker, family doctor in the district of Olpe, important concerns about the newly introduced system. According to Siegener Zeitung The trust in the doctor-patient relationship endangers. He is particularly concerned about the potential access of unauthorized health data.

A central point in Junker's argument is that pharmacists could be given access to the content of the EPA for three days when reading the health insurance card, which he considers to be unnecessary and risky. In his opinion, only certain information, such as the medication plan, should be visible to third parties. This is also underpinned by a statement by a spokesman for the Federal Data Protection Officer, who explains that patients can only use the advantages of the EPA if no documents are hidden.

criticism of the implementation

junker cannot avoid characterizing the introduction to the EPA as a "compulsory participation" and denounces that important information about the risks of these acts could be missing in the information letters of the health insurance companies. An opt-out procedure applies to patients: if you don't want EPA, you have to actively contradict this. These contradictions can be asserted in writing, online or by phone. If you do not make an objection, you will probably receive an EPA access after the Bundestag election.

In his practice, Junker spends explanations of contradiction and emphasizes that an objection is possible at any time. The corresponding data would then be deleted. He also points out that the EPA will be empty when it was introduced and that the patient itself has to be filled. If a patient later decides to agree to the use of the EPA, he can make up for this after an objection.

digital developments in healthcare

In the background of the debate about the EPA, the general digitization of the healthcare system is, according to Authority SPIEGEL The Bundestag is currently developing two laws to improve digital infrastructure. Critics, including representatives of the left and the AfD, express concerns about possible abuse potential and demand a higher level of protection for the sensitive health data of the citizens. Experts, on the other hand, see an opportunity to increase data security in the EPA.

The EPA is to be filled with structured health data in the future, which is essential for the automation of processes. Dr. Jens Baas from the Techniker Krankenkasse criticizes the current structure, some of which consists of a “Wust of PDFS”. From 2025, every citizen should receive an EPA by default, the opt-out procedure applies. Possibilities of contradictions must be made accessible, as Prof. Ulrich Kelber also demands from the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.

legal situation for minors

Another aspect of the use of EPA concerns the rights of minor patients. According to Federal Ministry of Health there is no special legal restriction for the establishment and use of the EPA. Minors also have the right to manage their data independently as soon as they are considered to be consent. This regulation allows children aged 15 and over to see a doctor or hospital without the consent of the parents.

The electronic patient file is therefore not only in the focus of the medical discussion, but also raises basic questions about data security, data protection and the legal situation of minors who require an open -ended debate.