The roll-out of Germany’s electronic patient record (ePA) system is facing significant challenges due to low engagement from active users, prompting concerns about the project’s long-term viability. Markus Beier, national chairman of the Association of General Practitioners, voiced his concerns in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, stating that the current trajectory risks a “crash landing” for what is considered a crucial healthcare policy initiative.
While recognizing the potential benefits of a well-implemented ePA – including improved and simplified patient care – Beier highlighted the system’s current shortcomings, characterizing it as “simply not user-friendly”. He pointed to a complex registration process and technical instability as major obstacles. General practices are reportedly encountering access issues on a weekly basis.
The Association of General Practitioners is calling on health insurance providers to significantly enhance patient education regarding the ePA system. Beier criticized the current, fragmented approach, noting that insurance providers have primarily relied on sending out general informational letters. He argued for a large-scale, coordinated public awareness campaign, suggesting that insurance providers are failing to adequately inform their members. The result, according to Beier, is that most patients remain largely unaware of the system or have not engaged with it. He urged insurance companies to leverage their administrative resources to guarantee a more comprehensive and effective patient awareness program.
