Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
Criticism Grows Over Electronic Patient Record Rollout
One year after the introduction of the electronic patient record (elektronische Patientenakte, ePA) in Germany, general practitioners (GPs) and consumer advocates are calling for significant improvements in the system. Despite its potential to better coordinate healthcare and provide lifelong documentation of patient data, the ePA currently faces heavy criticism regarding its implementation and usability. Markus Beier, chairman of the German General Practitioners Association, notes that while other countries have successfully integrated electronic records, Germany’s ePA remains inefficient, primarily functioning as a disorganized collection of PDF documents that add little practical value in daily medical practice. Additionally, frequent technical outages hinder smooth operation [Source 1].
Low Patient Adoption and Technical Barriers
The uptake of the electronic patient record among the 74 million statutory insured individuals remains minimal, with only about four million users so far. A representative Forsa survey conducted for consumer protection agencies reveals that although most insured persons have heard of the ePA, only 18 percent actively manage their electronic records either themselves or through authorized representatives. The technical complexity of accessing and managing the ePA is a key barrier to broader usage, with some patients losing interest after initial enthusiasm. House doctors report that the ePA tends to be overshadowed by other health-related concerns in everyday consultations [Source 5].
Concerns Over Data Security and Privacy
Data protection and confidentiality continue to be major concerns among healthcare providers. A recent survey of outpatient physicians found that almost 65 percent rated the ePA as not secure in terms of data protection. Moreover, about 72 percent expressed skepticism about the safeguarding of medical confidentiality given the broad access rights across various actors in the healthcare system. These privacy issues detract from patient and doctor confidence in the digital platform and contribute to calls for its further refinement [Source 7].
Mandatory Use and Practical Implications for Expats
Since October 2025, German doctors are required to use the electronic patient record to document new diagnoses and medical findings. For expats, international students, and foreign workers in Germany, this development means their medical data may increasingly be stored digitally within the national system, which could facilitate smoother treatment across different healthcare providers. However, the current technical challenges and low user adoption suggest that foreign patients may face difficulties accessing or managing their ePA without sufficient German language skills or technical support. Expats should therefore consider proactively seeking guidance from their healthcare providers on how to access and use the ePA to benefit fully from this digital record system [Source 6].
Overall, the existing criticism by GPs and consumer groups highlights the need for ongoing improvements in ePA usability, infrastructure stability, and data security to ensure the system meets the expectations of patients and healthcare professionals alike. The German General Practitioners Association advocates for continuous development based on direct experience from practices to enhance the practical utility of the ePA in routine care [Source 1][Source 4].
For more details, see the original coverage at Tagesschau: Ärzte fordern Nachbesserungen bei elektronischer Patientenakte.
