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06/November/2018, Annette Bammert

E-HEALTH ON THE RISE – THE DIGITALIZATION OF HEALTH

What is “E-Health”?

Already in 2015, the so-called E-Health Law has been adopted in Germany, which aims to promote the use of digital technologies in the health sector. The law includes topics such as video-consultation-hours, electronic patient records and the development of quality criterions for health apps. The German Federal Ministry of Health (or more precisely: the E-Health Initiative) tries to create greater transparency and effectiveness in health sectors. The initiative exists since 2010 and considers the promotion of the digitalization as a key requirement to realize significant improvements in healthcare. More and more elderly, chronically ill people are in need of constant healthcare. There are rural areas with a lack of a medical infrastructure and home-care is also problematic in many sectors. Digitalization could provide relief for all of those problems.

A Pioneer: Finland

Without question, the Finns are far ahead when it comes to digital healthcare. In Helsinki, there is a virtual “health village” since almost ten years. It is an online desk which covers almost 30 different health topics. Without registering, every Finn has access to diagnostic tools and symptom navigators. If you register and provide a proof of identity, you can even access a personalized patient area. In this area patients can communicate with clinic staff and access individual therapy plans. Appointments are also arranged online, of course, to save resources and costs.

E-Health in Germany still in its infancy

In Germany, the focus is currently still on the introduction of an electronic patient record in the field of E-Health. As health insurances, patients, doctors and data protection officers each have different requirements for the project, the implementation is expected for 2021. There are numerous other E-Health worksites which are hardly linked so far, it lacks an overall strategy, says MdB Maria Klein-Schmeink.

The “TK Mobile Health Vehicle” Approach

The “Mobile Health Vehicle” by the “Techniker Krankenkasse” (German health insurance) tours throughout Germany and promises virtual answers to questions like: How can I overcome my fear of heights? What is the cause of my high stress level? Am I in the right position when it comes to nutrition?

Employees of the motor development centre PM DM now had the opportunity to start a first cautious approach to the new possibilities of a digitalized health care system. The topic hit the mark with many: The appointments for the “Mobile Health Vehicle” were fully booked by the employees.

The participants were able to compare their individual stressors with their own available resources to compensate, for example. The so-called virtual “stress scale” indicates any imbalances in the proportion of those factors and provides options for action. In addition, the employees were encouraged to take a VR ride through the human body. VR glasses can also help dealing with the fear of heights or be used in balance training. Another possibility is, of course, the mediation of medical knowledge as a supporting measure. Even though for the majority of the curious participants the event had more of a playful nature at the beginning, everyone won interesting insights to future developments of our healthcare system.

Sources:

www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/97835/E-Health-Diskussion-Vision-und-Wirklichkeit

 

PMDM EHealth

Your contact person

Roman Klein

MinebeaMitsumi Europe

Phone: +49 7721 997-317