Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 2:17 p.m
An important topic at this year’s congress for health networkers is digitalization. This will be crucial for the future of healthcare.
Last week, like many others in our industry, we looked at DMEA. Despite some obstacles on the way to digitalization, there was a generally positive mood at the trade fair: We are on the right path to a more digital healthcare system that will improve care.
We are pleased that we were able to win the Techniker Krankenkasse as an additional program partner this year. The Techniker is one of the most innovative health insurance companies in Germany and is characterized by groundbreaking activities and initiatives in the area of digitalization and the promotion of innovations
healthcare. She works closely with start-ups and uses digital technologies to improve healthcare and make it more efficient. Dr. Jens BaasChairman of the Board of the Techniker Krankenkasse, emphasized at the DMEA in Berlin: “Techniker will continue to advance the development of a really usable ePA, because I am convinced that this is a necessary basis for many improvements in our healthcare system.”
For our EinBlick podcast we have Melanie Wendling, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Health IT – bvitg eV, interviewed. The bvitg is organizing the DMEA together with Messe Berlin. Melanie Wendling will also be at #GNK24 and will take part in the panel discussion of our program partner, Techniker Krankenkasse, on May 15, 2024 on the topic “Challenges of digital change in healthcare: Water level for the ability to implement TI in practice”. In the EinBlick podcast, she emphasizes that the congress for health networkers offers an important platform for networking in the German health care system. Here, different actors can get to know each other, build trust and exchange ideas about new topics and developments. You can listen to the podcast here.
We wish you all the best and look forward to meeting you in Berlin next month for #healthnetworking.
ePA, e-prescriptions and Co. – digitalization in the German healthcare system is moving forward
The German healthcare system has taken a big step towards digitalization with the adoption of the Digital Act in March 2024. In addition to the introduction of the ‘ePA for all’ from January 2025, it was also decided to integrate the e-prescription into the health insurance companies’ apps in the future. The opt-out regulation makes it much easier for insured persons to create an electronic patient record (ePA). This makes it easier to use the ePA in practice, as doctors can access patient data even without active use by the insured, which increases efficiency.
The experience so far with the e-prescription shows that digital processes can be successfully implemented in Germany, although there were challenges at the beginning. Over 145 million e-prescriptions have now been issued and redeemed – which illustrates the potential of digital solutions in healthcare.
However, there is still a long way to go to fully integrate digital tools such as e-prescriptions or ePA into the everyday life of doctors’ practices, pharmacies and patients. Many insured people feel inadequately informed about the ePA and are skeptical about digital applications in healthcare. Questions about data security, the release of files for treating doctors or the uploading of findings must be answered clearly and understandably in order to strengthen trust and acceptance among the population.
In order to further advance digitalization in the healthcare system, a comprehensive information campaign is necessary. This is intended to eliminate uncertainties and emphasize the advantages of the ePA. Filling the ePA should become a natural part of the doctor’s visit to ensure comprehensive and efficient patient care. TK boss Dr. Jens Baas sees the real challenge in ensuring that the ePA is actually used: “Use must be easy and secure.”
At #GNK24, the following questions will be discussed with various actors in the TK panel discussion on the topic of “Challenges of digital change in healthcare: Water level for the ability to implement TI in practice”: Who can see my data? How do I release my file for my cardiologist? How can I upload a finding? Questions about ePA and e-prescriptions must be answered in an understandable way so that acceptance among the population increases and filling the ePA is a natural part of a visit to the doctor.
Below we would like to introduce you to some sessions from the program of the Congress for Health Networkers that deal with various aspects of digitalization in the healthcare system.
Programmhighlights
Challenges of digital change in healthcare: Water level for the ability to implement TI in practice
Panel discussion with
Sandra Hoyer Team leader of supply management at the Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg
Björn Kalweit Chief Operations Officer of gematik GmbH, Berlin
Jacob Scholz Deputy Head of the IT & Digital Health Division of the Westphalia-Lippe Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Dortmund
Melanie Wendling Managing Director of the Federal Association of Health IT – bvitg e. V., Berlin
Moderation: Silvia Wirth Press spokesperson for digitalization and e-health at the Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg
further details in the program overview
Fast-track procedure versus benefit assessment: When is the evidence sufficient?
introduction
Dr. Barbara Höfgen Head of the Digital Health and Care Applications Department at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn
afterwards discussion together
Dr. Patrick Temple Consultant Market Access Digital Health at _fbeta GmbH
Prof. Dr. Ralf von Baer, MBA Professor of E-Health Technologies and head of the Digital Health Management and Physician Assistant degree programs at Aalen University
Moderation: Pia Maier Vboard member of the BiM – Federal Association of Internet Medicine e. v.
further details in the program overview
Best practice examples of digitally supported care in Germany
Digital health applications (DiGA) are on everyone’s lips. However, what is still discussed far too rarely is digitally supported treatment or “blended care”. The use of digital tools as part of treatment enables patients to not only work on their symptoms in their own home environment, but also to observe behavior and moods in everyday hospital life and thus become active themselves. And the best thing about it: You will also be supported by a multi-professional team of psychotherapists, nurses or doctors. How can digital applications be integrated into a previously analog treatment structure? In this workshop, together with experts from the healthcare sector, we will examine how digitally supported care can be successfully adapted in the German healthcare market and present practical application examples.
Dr. phil. Julia Mühleck Psychologist at the Asklepios Specialist Hospital in Stadtroda
dr. Manuela Schutz Lead Business DACH of Minddistrict GmbH, Berlin
further details in the program overview
Among other things, we are looking forward to
Natalie Gladkow
Head of the Digital Medical Devices Department at BVMed
– Federal Association for Medical Technology e. V., Berlin
Susanne Muller
Managing Director of the Federal Association of Medical Care Centers – Health Centers – Integrated Care e. V., Berlin
Han Steutel
President of the Association of Research-Based Drug Manufacturers. V.(vfa), Berlin
OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE
We would be happy to inform you here also about opportunities to participate in the congress. Just contact us – we look forward to your initiatives.
Until then: listen to ours EinBlick podcast in – the most important news from the healthcare sector every Friday. We look forward to inspiring discussions and your participation at the 18th Congress for Health Networkers in Berlin. Let’s talk about the future of care and help shape it!