Germany to Roll Out Nationwide Electronic Patient Records on January 15

The new system promises streamlined healthcare access but raises concerns over data security and privacy.

Starting January 15, electronic patient records (ePA) will be automatically created for all German citizens unless they actively opt out through their health insurance provider.
Healthcare professionals will be required to upload medical documents, such as test results and treatment notes, which patients can access via an app or delegate access to representatives.
The system aims to improve patient care by centralizing medical data and reducing risks such as harmful drug interactions, but critics highlight unresolved privacy and security issues.
The Chaos Computer Club has identified security vulnerabilities in the ePA system, though officials claim these can be addressed before the nationwide launch.
Sensitive data will be pseudonymized for research use unless patients explicitly object, raising additional concerns about the potential misuse of health information.