E-Patient Record Still Unknown to Many Patients - Berlin mandates digital patient records—but many still don’t know they exist
Berlin’s doctors and hospitals are now required to use electronic patient records (ePA) for all new diagnoses and findings. The rule took effect on October 1, but many patients remain unaware of the system. While most practices in the city have adopted the ePA, hospitals are still catching up due to technical challenges.
Since January 15, every patient with statutory health insurance in Germany has automatically received an ePA unless they chose to opt out. Despite this, only a small double-digit percentage of patients in areas like Wilmersdorf actively access their own records. Many still do not know the system exists.
The ePA system is now mandatory for doctors and hospitals, but full adoption will take time. Patients can manage their records online, though awareness remains low. Hospitals in Berlin and beyond continue working toward complete integration by the 2025 deadline.
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