Electronic Patient Record Still Not Established in Daily Life - Germany's digital patient records fail to win over doctors and patients alike
Germany's electronic patient record (ePA) was introduced in October 2023 to streamline medical documentation. By late 2025, however, its adoption remains uneven, with only 30-40% of doctors and pharmacists using it regularly. Many in the healthcare sector are now calling for urgent improvements.
The ePA became mandatory for physicians in October 2024, following a phased rollout that began in January 2025. Despite this requirement, uptake has varied widely across regions and practice sizes.
In Hesse, frustration with the system has grown. The Hesse Medical Association highlights major gaps, particularly in recording certain pain medications. Meanwhile, the Hesse Pharmacists' Association reports inconsistent usage among professionals. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in the region goes further, stating that the ePA offers no clear advantage for patient care.
Patients, too, have shown little engagement. Ralf Metzger of AOK Hesse revealed that only 23,000 of their 1.7 million insured members actively use the ePA or its accompanying app. Critics point to ongoing technical issues and a clunky interface, raising doubts about the system's real-world usefulness.
Over a year since its launch, the ePA faces mounting criticism from doctors, pharmacists, and insurers. Demands for fixes focus on reliability, ease of use, and practical benefits for daily healthcare. Without changes, the system's long-term success remains uncertain.
