The success of drug therapy depends on many factors. In addition to the right active ingredient, the right dose and the correct timing, undesirable side effects, interactions with other substances and much more must also be considered. This is where digitization can help doctors, nurses, pharmacists and, of course, patients to keep an eye on everything and improve the safety of the medication process from prescription to dispensing to use. Digital solutions can provide support here in all steps of the therapy process and in all sectors and optimize communication between all parties involved. Examples of concrete applications are the eMedication Plan and the ePrescriptions.

Keywords: AVTS, AMTS, Safe Drug Prescription Plan, Safe Drug Treatment Plan, Digital Solutions, Checks

From patient history to progress documentation of diseases and therapies - every day, we as a healthcare system gather a vast amount of data. This opens immense potential for improving patient care in a sustainable and secure manner.

A precondition for the sustainable improvement of healthcare through data-based developments will be the creation of legally secure framework conditions for data usage, and not least the willingness of patients to make sensitive data available for innovations.

Keywords: Data Usage, Innovation, AI, Cloud, Big Data, Research, Development

Software that patients can always carry with them and that can thereby offer added value through permanent support in care – these advantages are offered by the Digital Health Applications, or DiGA for short, which have been approved by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Since 2020, all persons with statutory health insurance have the right to have these little helpers prescribed for them and paid for by their health insurers. This still growing market is wading up with offers for a wide variety of clinical pictures.

In addition to these, a multitude of other solutions exist on the 2nd healthcare market that aim to bring innovation to all areas and sectors of our healthcare system. By leveraging AI, wearables and other sensor technology, these gadgets are also supporting care on a different level.

Keywords: Digital Health Applications, Mobile Health, Wearables

In addition to the large market for service providers, a patient-focused range of services is increasingly emerging. This aims to give patients sovereignty in dealing with their conditions. Whether it is dealing with symptoms, assessing and responding to adverse rashes correctly, in checking their own vital signs, or becoming more actively involved in therapy: patient empowerment not only improves care and simplifies treatment, but also restores the quality of life of those affected.

Keywords: Digital Patient, Patient Empowerment, Co-decision, Participation, Care Process, Digital Health Applications, Healthcare Delivery

Retention periods for patient records are usually 10 years, and for chronic diseases and/or radiation therapies usually as long as 30 years. In addition to blood products and plasma proteins, this also includes paper-based and imaging documents (nursing reports and nursing plans, X-rays, MRIs, ECGs, etc.). The volume of data is growing ever larger, so that for reasons of rationalization and economy, archiving and documentation will have to be transferred to digital archiving systems in all healthcare facilities in the future.

Keywords: Digitization, documentation, Archiving, Archiving Systems, Rationalization, Medical Filing Systems

Digitization in nursing care promises high potentials. Fast and beneficial documentation, more efficient care and administration processes, or better communication with the interdisciplinary team (e.g., doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacies, etc.) are just a few examples. Digitization can also significantly improve the workload for family caregivers and the opportunities for caregivers to participate. This makes the digitization of nursing care one of the most dynamic and relevant future fields.

Keywords: Nursing Care, Digitization, Digital Care, Care Delivery, Software, Systems

Hardly anyone doubts the added value that the electronic patient record, or ePA for short, can have for healthcare. Nevertheless, we are still in the very early stages of using them. A value-adding concept is only possible in this case if patients work closely with healthcare providers.

In its various stages of expansion, the roadmap for the health insurances’ electronic patient record has already been predefined. But other offerings also promise to generate additional added value for healthcare.

Keywords: Digitalization, Electronic Patient Record, Patient Data

The interoperable linking of various medical technology and health IT systems represents a key to improving everyday care.

Systems for automated data collection and transmission, IT-supported capacity and process optimization, and telemedical applications in the clinical and outpatient areas are indispensable for ensuring future-oriented and modern patient care. Patients also contribute to the improvement of their own care through the independent collection of health data and must be considered when it comes to networking.

Keywords: Medical Technology, Health IT, Interoperability, Control, Processes, Telemedicine, Digital Applications, Everyday Care

In order to achieve interoperability in healthcare and research in Germany, the use of international standards is required.

Syntactic standards (e.g., FHIR) as well as semantic standards (e.g. SNOMED CT and LOINC) enable a structured and thus reusable data exchange in various areas. Thus, solutions that work with these standards can offer added value for care, research, but also administration.

Keywords: Interoperability, Standard, FHIR, SNOMED CT, LOINC, Interfaces, Exchange, Applications

A crowded waiting room or a long drive to the general practitioner’s office could soon be a thing from the past. Telemedicine methods are finding increasingly widespread use in patient care in Germany - this is particularly illustrated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Telemedicine is the term used when medical services can be provided across a physical distance. Doctors and patients, as well as practitioners among themselves, can use digital applications such as apps, video services or teleconsultation platforms with the help of information and communication technology to get in touch with each other and exchange information about the respective treatment.

Keywords: Telemedicine, Digitalization, Digital Medicine, Healthcare, Modernization, Digital Transformation, Digital Patient