Digitization is more than IT

Anyone who started the first morning of DMEA still sleepy woke up at the latest during the bvitg's "Quick Round". Four decision-makers from the healthcare sector and politics asked each other questions on the stage in Hall 5.2 on the topic of "Healthcare IT after the election: what's coming, what's staying?". The lively exchange provided insights into different perspectives.

Dr. Sibylle Steiner, Member of the Board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, emphasized that the "warm shower of money" for the healthcare system from the infrastructure package should not only benefit hospitals, but also doctors and psychotherapists in private practice. Contract doctors are one of the groups where digitalization is already working comparatively well. However, digital solutions should not stop at sector boundaries. Digital discharge papers after a stay in hospital or rehab, for example, would make it easier for patients to receive further treatment. At the same time, she warned against "digitized bureaucracy".

She received approval for this initiative from Sebastian Zilch, Head of Directorate "Digital Health, Digital Health Agency" at the Federal Ministry of Health. With the digital strategy, the federal government has already initiated many processes that now need to be pursued further. Closer dovetailing with other programs such as the Innovation Fund could help to advance new solutions for the healthcare sector.

Rethinking processes

From the perspective of the health insurance companies, Dr Jens Baas, Chairman of the Board at Die Techniker, emphasized that it is not enough to digitalize analogue processes. Rather, a genuine process transformation must take place. Health insurance companies could improve the healthcare system on the basis of digital data. He cited the example of contacting high-risk patients to remind them of a preventive examination such as a colonoscopy. The focus should be on the overall treatment process, combined with the question: at what point can who do something for the patient?

Matthias Meierhofer, CEO of the German Health IT Association (bvitg), also spoke out in favor of a common vision. The industry needs clear framework conditions and an overall strategy across all sectors, he said. The patient's care process must be considered from start to finish, he said. After all, successful digitalization is more than just IT. The multitude of regulations must be orchestrated. The members felt prepared for the European Health Data Space. Even if national solutions still predominate at present, he sees this as a great opportunity.