Digital revolution: EPA coaches help seniors in health data management!

Digital revolution: EPA coaches help seniors in health data management!

On April 28, 2025, the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate launched a significant project to prepare older citizens for the nationwide rollout of the electronic patient file (EPA). This project, which is implemented in cooperation with the Rhineland-Palatinate media facility, aims to support senior citizens in the safe and effective use of their digital health data. The approach is regarded as a crucial step towards modernizing health care.

The electronic patient files act as a digital file folder, in which patients can store medical documents such as findings, X -ray images and medication plans and access them at any time. This system is intended to achieve transparency and better communication between doctors and patients. However, the switch to digital health data has challenges, especially for older people, who often have little experience in dealing with technologies.

EPA coaches as support for the older generation

In order to make it easier for the elderly to access the EPA, volunteer digital ambassadors are qualified as EPA coaches. These coaches are trained to support older people in the establishment and use of the EPA. Digital Minister Dörte Schall emphasizes that digitization should not be a hurdle for older people, but a relief. The aim of the project is to set up an EPA coach advisory network, which is supposed to form the bridge between older citizens and the digital world in the long term.

The State Secretary Nicole Steingass emphasizes that the project is aiming to offer senior citizens and seniors comprehensive access to digital health care. Training that imparts practical knowledge is by Dr. Marc Jan Eumann, director of the media facility, considered essential. EPA is particularly addressed to data protection and usage questions to ensure acceptance and security.

Financial support and federal goals

The state government is funding the project with a sum of 250,000 euros for a period of two years. This investment is intended to help achieve a broad senior base and ensure that this group can fully exploit the potential of the electronic patient files. From 2025, all legally insured are entitled to an EPA unless they contradict.

By creating the telematics infrastructure, which enables the safe exchange of information between practices, hospitals and pharmacies, the prerequisites for networked health care are further improved. Laws such as the E-Health Act or the Patient Dates Protection Act also come into play here that drive the digital transformation in healthcare.

Overall, the project in Rhineland-Palatinate is considered to be trend-setting in order to promote the digital participation of older people and to facilitate them with their health in the digital age. The training of EPA coaches sought to create a cross-generational communication of digital health offers that ultimately benefit everyone involved.