The Federal Government’s Patient Advocate, Stefan Schwartze, is calling for improvements to the implementation of the electronic patient record (ePA) system. Concerns have emerged regarding accessibility and usability challenges faced by citizens attempting to set up their accounts.
Schwartze, in comments to Ippen-Media, highlighted correspondence received from individuals experiencing difficulties, citing issues such as incompatibility with certain smartphones and broader access problems. The rollout, initiated in April, has come under scrutiny for its relatively low adoption rate among patients, a situation exacerbated by reported technical hurdles.
He emphasized the need for a more user-friendly and patient-centric approach, stating that the ePA must be accessible and appropriate for all age groups. A key focus moving forward will be ensuring ease of access to personal data and clear transparency regarding how data is stored and processed.
Furthermore, Schwartze stressed the importance of presenting information in a readily understandable format, ensuring all patients can comprehend the contents of their ePA. To achieve this, he advocates for the active involvement of patients in the ongoing development and testing phases, prioritizing the “patient perspective” throughout the process.
Despite the current challenges, Schwartze maintains a positive outlook on the long-term potential of the ePA, believing it can sustainably enhance the position and care provided to patients.