The utilization of video consultations has seen a significant resurgence within Germany’s healthcare system. According to data released by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), a leading health insurance provider, over 711,000 digital treatment sessions were conducted for its members last year. This represents a considerable increase of approximately 135,000 compared to 2023.
Following a peak of 956,000 video consultations during the pandemic year of 2021, numbers had previously declined. TK, serving over twelve million insured individuals, reports that the most common use of digital appointments was with general practitioners and psychotherapists.
While not all medical conditions can be addressed via video consultation, Jens Baas, CEO of TK, emphasized the convenience for ailments like mild colds, reducing the need for patient travel and lengthy waiting times.
Baas is advocating for the integration of digitally supported initial assessments of medical concerns prior to scheduling traditional doctor’s appointments. This would aim to expedite patient care, directing individuals to the most appropriate care setting. He further believes this approach would benefit medical practices as well. The goal, Baas stated, is to establish video consultations as a “self-evident option” within the German healthcare landscape.