Overview

• The vzbv investigation found that Doctolib and Jameda frequently list unavailable or unsuitable appointments, with less than half of initially bookable slots meeting patient needs.
• Over half of surveyed patients reported being unable to book appointments by phone, leaving many reliant on commercial platforms with hidden costs and limited accessibility.
• The vzbv has called on the German government to establish minimum standards for online booking portals and require alternatives such as telephone scheduling.
• Doctolib's recent announcement to use patient data for AI training has heightened concerns about the privacy and commercialization of sensitive health information.
• The report highlights the need to expand public booking services to reduce dependency on private platforms, as federal coalition negotiations consider regulatory changes.