Digital health record starts: opportunities and risks in focus!

On February 26, 2025, a dialogue forum took place in the Puderbach community center, which was organized by the Health Service Center. The speaker was Stefan Bill from the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK) Rhineland-Palatinate, who provided information about the electronic patient file. Just over ten visitors took part in the event. In addition to the main topic of the ePA, other relevant topics were also addressed, including the needs plan, self-care and the hospital situation in the region. Birgit Baum from the Health Service said that the event was by no means considered lost.

At the same time, the introduction of the electronic patient record (ePA) began on January 15, 2025 in test regions that include Hamburg, Franconia and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. After a successful pilot phase, the ePA is to be introduced for all those with statutory health insurance. The EHR serves as a digital, lifelong repository for health information managed by physicians, hospitals, and other medical facilities.

Electronic patient record details

The use of the ePA is voluntary; An objection to the creation or use can be lodged at any time. People with statutory health insurance and their children (managed by their parents up to the age of 15) receive an ePA unless there is an objection. The testing phase includes 300 healthcare facilities, with additional security measures being developed as there are safety concerns. In December 2024, the Chaos Computer Club identified security gaps, whereupon gematik planned measures to correct them.

The data is stored centrally in Germany and is subject to European data protection regulations, but is encrypted. In order for the ePA to be used, the corresponding apps must go through an approval process. Access is via the telematics infrastructure. The advantages of the ePA lie in a simplified exchange of medical documents, the avoidance of duplicate examinations and a better overview for doctors, which also makes it easier to change doctors.

However, there are also disadvantages, such as security concerns, technical dependencies and limited access for people without a suitable device. The ePA is used via special apps or an ePA client, with registration requiring a health card and a PIN. People without digital devices can use the ePA passively, but cannot view or manage any data. Ombudsman offices of the health insurance companies should offer support in the use of the ePA.