Skip to content
Nutrition — Science — Health-and-wellness — Sleep — Mental-health — Fitness-and-exercise

Situation Deteriorating

In the recent months, the traditional pink prescriptions have been mostly phased out, with digital e-prescriptions taking their place. However, the shift to this new system has left some patients feeling overwhelmed, as reported by Dr. Armin Hoffmann, the president of the Pharmacists' Chamber...

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
With the start of the new year, physical pink prescriptions have mostly vanished. Instead,...
With the start of the new year, physical pink prescriptions have mostly vanished. Instead, electronic E-prescriptions are now common. According to Dr. Armin Hoffmann, president of the Pharmacists' Chamber North Rhine in Duesseldorf, many people find themselves struggling with this digital transition.

Situation Deteriorating

Germany Faces Challenges in Improving User-Friendly Health App Integration with Health Insurance

Germany is grappling with the issue of enhancing the user-friendly linking of health apps with health insurance providers, according to Armin Hoffmann, a board member. Patients have been deterred from using the app due to complex and user-unfriendly linking with health insurance, Hoffmann stated. Not every patient has received a PIN from their insurance company, and the methods for redeeming prescriptions are varied and confusing.

The simplest way to obtain prescriptions remains crossing one's health insurance card at the pharmacy, according to Kathrin Luboldt, Vice President of the Chamber. Pharmacists provide valuable assistance with prescribed medications and self-medication advice, especially during medication shortages. Local pharmacies are the only agencies that ensure medication therapy safety, Luboldt added, as their in-house staff reviews prescriptions to ensure patients receive the correct medication.

Hoffmann further emphasized that potential transmission errors in the involved systems can occur in rare cases. In one instance, he shared a case where a blood pressure medication was prescribed but the system desired to dispense a urological medication. Only through Hoffmann's personal intervention was a prescription error averted.

Members of the board have also criticized the continuous technical problems with the system, asserting that these issues can jeopardize the supply of medication. Despite the challenges, a field test is being carried out using technology still in its infancy, leaving it to participants, mainly doctors and pharmacists, to identify system errors.

The Presidium and Board of the health app initiative have identified a significant communication deficit between Gematik (the society for telematics applications of the health card mbH), insurers, and the Federal Ministry of Health. Pharmacies frequently encounter difficulties providing for their patients due to a lack of valid e-prescriptions. This is because medical practices use the comfort signature and only digitally sign e-prescriptions once or twice a day, Hoffmann explained.

The patients ultimately suffer as they struggle to understand the complex intricacies and show little interest. Hoffmann noted, "We healthcare professionals look incompetent - although others are responsible for these shortcomings, and they're almost all in Berlin."

Strategies to Address Challenges in User-Friendly Health App Integration

  1. Simplifying Data Exchange and Integration: Standardized data formats, integration platforms, and APIs can streamline data exchange between apps and insurance systems, reducing potential transmission errors.
  2. Enhancing User Experience: User-friendly interfaces, digital identity solutions, and feedback mechanisms can improve patient engagement and reduce complexity.
  3. Ensuring Data Security: Secure data storage, regulation compliance, and transparency can protect sensitive patient information and build trust.
  4. Addressing Complexity and Errors: Centralized support systems and education can help address technical issues while reducing complexity and errors.

By implementing these strategies, Germany can improve the user-friendly linking of health apps with health insurance, enhancing the patient experience while ensuring data security and reducing potential transmission errors.

  1. The standardization of data formats, integration platforms, and APIs can simplify the exchange of data between health apps and insurance systems, thereby reducing potential transmission errors in Germany.
  2. To improve the user experience, health apps in Germany could adopt user-friendly interfaces, digital identity solutions, and feedback mechanisms, encouraging patient engagement and reducing complexity.
  3. Ensuring data security is essential for protecting sensitive patient information. Secure data storage, adherence to regulatory compliance, and greater transparency can help build trust and confidence in the use of health apps in Germany.
  4. Centralized support systems and education can help address technical issues, reduce complexity, and minimize errors in health app integration, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare professionals in Germany.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest