Digitization is to be introduced in medical practices in order to make appointment scheduling, consultation hours and the waiting room more patient-friendly. One of the first important steps should be taken by January 1, 2021 at the latest. Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) is planning the electronic patient file as a voluntary offer for patients. The statutory health insurance companies and the consumer advice centers also vote for more digitization in medical practices.
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video consultations
Video consultation hours are currently still perceived by many doctors as an additional service, although video telephone services have long been a matter of course. In the next five years, every fifth appointment should take place via video consultation. E.g. B. Parents with their child who has vomiting diarrhea. Bypassing the doctor’s visit and replacing it with a video call would be a relief.
Online Appointment Bookings
Some practices already offer appointments online, but this network is to be expanded even more extensively. In the future, patients will no longer only be dependent on telephone times or the answering machine, but can conveniently book a doctor’s appointment online. In particular, people who cannot make phone calls during their working hours, shift workers and night workers would benefit from booking appointments online.
Waiting room
Long waiting times could be avoided in the future through digital notifications. There will always be waiting times, but two hours is not appropriate. Through a notification, e.g. B. on the smartphone, the patient could leave the practice while waiting and devote himself to other activities.
Starting shot for digitization
Modern medicine requires even more connections from medical practices to the data superhighway in order to guarantee even better networking. It is also important that patient data is well encrypted and secured and remains so when forwarded. Security gaps must be clarified and closed. If all requirements are met, an electronic patient file, e.g. B. multiple X-rays can be avoided, since this information is now available more quickly for the new doctor.
