What will it take for Germany to embrace digital health?

Albert, Helen

doi:10.1136/bmj.m2828

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…LIVI’s app has seen significant take up from doctors and patients alike: the number of patients accessing it increased five times above normal levels in the early stages of the pandemic—at one point 500 doctors a week were applying to work with the app. McKinsey estimates that in the US alone, the telemedicine industry is now worth $250bn3 (£193bn; €211bn) with health insurers in Germany8 and the US seemingly backing the move to allow virtual consultations to count for claims 9…”

Section: Here To Staymentioning

confidence: 99%

Why telemedicine is here to stay

Stokel-Walker

2020

BMJ

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Section: Here To Staymentioning

confidence: 99%

Why telemedicine is here to stay

Stokel-Walker

2020

BMJ

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“…In recent years, physicians were required to make financial investments in the IT infrastructure without a clear perceived benefit leading to hesitance in adopting new DHIs in clinical practice [42,43]. Both, the missing positive financial perspective and missing benefits are established barriers for the introduction of eHealth interventions [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Acceptability, Barriers, and Facilitators for Digital Health in Dermatology: Qualitative Focus Groups with Dermatologists, Nurses, and Patients (Preprint)

Reinders,

Augustin,

Fleyder

et al. 2024

JMIR Dermatology

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Background Although several digital health interventions (DHIs) have shown promise in the care of skin diseases their uptake in Germany has been limited. To fully understand the reasons for the low uptake, an in-depth analysis of patients’ and health care providers’ barriers and facilitators in dermatology is needed. Objective The objective of this study was to explore and compare attitudes, acceptability, barriers, and facilitators of patients, dermatologists, and nurses toward DHIs in dermatology. Methods We conducted 6 web-based focus groups each with patients (n=34), dermatologists (n=30), and nurses (n=30) using a semistructured interview guide with short descriptions of DHIs described in the literature. A content analysis was performed using deductive constructs, following the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework, and inductive categories. Results Patients identified many positive performance expectancies, such as reduced travel times and improvement in follow-up appointments. Dermatologists also stated positive effects (eg, promotion of standardized care), but also negative implications of health care digitalization (eg, increased workload). All stakeholders reported that a DHI should bring additional value to all stakeholders. A lack of digital competence among patients was identified as the major barrier to adoption by all 3 groups. Nurses and dermatologists want apps that are easy to use and easy to implement into their daily routines. Trust in selected institutions, colleagues, and physicians was identified as a facilitator. Patients reported their dependence on the dermatologists’ acceptance. All groups expressed concerns about data privacy risks and dermatologists stated insecurities toward data privacy laws. Conclusions To ensure successful digitalization in dermatology, apps should be user-friendly, adapted to users’ skill levels, and beneficial for all stakeholders. The incorporation of dermatologists’ perspectives is especially important as their acceptance may impact use among patients and nurses. DHIs should ensure and be transparent about data privacy. The found barriers and facilitators can be used for implementation strategies.

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“…Socioculturally, Germany’s lag in digital uptake and focus on data security and privacy have been associated with the country’s problematic and traumatic history of heavy surveillance. This has inevitably affected the country’s now cautious approach to digitalization [ 91 , 92 ]. However, considering reports of increasing acceptance of and demand for eHealth technologies, this trend will likely change in the coming years [ 91 , 93 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This has inevitably affected the country’s now cautious approach to digitalization [ 91 , 92 ]. However, considering reports of increasing acceptance of and demand for eHealth technologies, this trend will likely change in the coming years [ 91 , 93 ]. This can be seen in respondents’ feedback regarding digital formats they could imagine using in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Health and Digital Learning Experiences Across Speech-Language Pathology, Phoniatrics, and Otolaryngology: Interdisciplinary Survey Study

Lin¹,

Lemos²,

Neuschaefer‐Rube³

2021

JMIR Med Educ

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Background Advances in digital health and digital learning are transforming the lives of patients, health care providers, and health professional students. In the interdisciplinary field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD), digital uptake and incorporation of digital topics and technologies into clinical training programs has lagged behind other medical fields. There is a need to understand professional and student experiences, opinions, and needs regarding digital health and learning topics so that effective strategies for implementation can be optimized. Objective This cross-sectional survey study aims to interdisciplinarily investigate professional and student knowledge, use, attitudes, and preferences toward digital health and learning in the German-speaking population. Methods An open-ended, web-based survey was developed and conducted with professionals and students in CSD including phoniatricians and otolaryngologists, speech-language pathologists (German: Logopäd*innen), medical students, and speech-language pathology students. Differences in knowledge, use, attitudes, and preferences across profession, generation, and years of experience were analyzed. Results A total of 170 participants completed the survey. Respondents demonstrated greater familiarity with digital learning as opposed to eHealth concepts. Significant differences were noted across profession (P<.001), generation (P=.001), and years of experience (P<.001), which demonstrated that students and younger participants were less familiar with digital health terminology. Professional (P<.001) and generational differences were also found (P=.04) in knowledge of digital therapy tools, though no significant differences were found for digital learning tools. Participants primarily used computers, tablets, and mobile phones; non–eHealth-specific tools (eg, word processing and videoconferencing applications); and digital formats such as videos, web courses, and apps. Many indicated a desire for more interactive platforms, such as virtual reality. Significant differences were found across generations for positive views toward digitalization (P<.001) and across profession for feelings of preparedness (P=.04). Interestingly, across profession (P=.03), generation (P=.006), and years of experience (P=.01), students and younger participants demonstrated greater support for medical certification. Commonly reported areas of concern included technical difficulties, quality and validity of digital materials, data privacy, and social presence. Respondents tended to prefer blended learning, a limited to moderate level of interactivity, and time and space–flexible learning environments (63/170, 37.1%), with a notable proportion still preferring traditional time and space–dependent learning (49/170, 28.8%). Conclusions This comprehensive investigation into the current state of CSD student and professional opinions and experiences has shown that incorporation of digital topics and skills into academic and professional development curricula will be crucial for ensuring that the field is prepared for the ever-digitalizing health care environment. Deeper empirical investigation into efficacy and acceptance of digital learning and practice strategies and systematic training and practical organizational supports must be planned to ensure adaptive education and practice.

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What will it take for Germany to embrace digital health?

Abstract: Germany has long resisted digitisation, but could a new law and the covid-19 pandemic ease that attitude? Helen Albert reports.

Cited by 8 publications

References 0 publications

Why telemedicine is here to stay

Why telemedicine is here to stay

Exploring Acceptability, Barriers, and Facilitators for Digital Health in Dermatology: Qualitative Focus Groups with Dermatologists, Nurses, and Patients (Preprint)

Digital Health and Digital Learning Experiences Across Speech-Language Pathology, Phoniatrics, and Otolaryngology: Interdisciplinary Survey Study

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