Digitalization from the Patients’ Perspective

Plugmann, Julia; Plugmann, Philipp

Digitalization in health care is often discussed from the professionals’ point of view (e.g. physicians, dentists, nurses), but what about the patients’ perspective? Patients face new challenges: They are a cost factor, which has to be monitored. This requires access to all their health care data plus additional information. Patients’ behavior may well be measured in the future—mandatory genetic testing could be on the horizon, and in times of coronavirus the question of compulsory vaccinations arises once again. There is more: Should every German citizen automatically become an organ donor by law? Should opting out mean having to make a written declaration? And should the system punish people who opt out, e.g. by putting them last on the waiting list if they need an organ transplant? Is this environment really conducive to creating high acceptance of digitalization from the patients’ point of view? We conducted the following three studies, which will help to understand patients’ needs and perspectives in the age of digitalization in health care, especially in the hospital environment. Ultimately, patients’ acceptance of innovation and digitalization is crucial to the success of implementing new technologies in health care. To achieve higher acceptance, policymakers should promote public campaigns to communicate the advantages of these technologies for all patients in the health care system.