E-prescription app: Patient and healthcare provider experiences

E-prescription app: Patient and healthcare provider experiences

According to a report from www.heise.de,

Since the introduction of the e-prescription requirement about a month ago, most people who receive an e-prescription have redeemed it using the electronic health card (eGK). The use of the official Gematik e-prescription app is still relatively low. The Heise editorial team also had different experiences with the e-prescription app. Some colleagues have installed the app out of curiosity but have not yet filled a prescription through it, while others find the app useless or unnecessary. In addition, there are technical problems when registering in the e-prescription app and retrieving e-prescriptions in pharmacies. Doctors and pharmacists complain about delays and demand a “fully digital solution”. Digitalization in the healthcare system is still associated with some challenges and a need for improvement.

Based on an analysis of the current situation, we can conclude that the introduction of the e-prescription is not yet going smoothly. The previous low use of the e-prescription app and the technical problems with registration and retrieval in pharmacies show that the switch to the digital system requires time and adjustment. The demand for a “fully digital solution” from doctors and pharmacists underlines the need for further improvements in the healthcare system. However, effective digitalization can bring added value to medical and psychotherapeutic care, as the increasing use of communication services in the medical sector shows. It remains to be seen how Gematik and other healthcare players will respond to the current problems and demands.