The world of digital health is teeming with abbreviations and technical terms: ePA, eGK, DiGA and many more. It's not easy to keep an overview. But don't worry. Our glossary brings light into the darkness and explains the most important terms in the field of e-health.
The most important facts about e-health & ePA
E-Health
Generic term for the use of digital technologies in the healthcare sector to improve patient care. This includes Electronic Patient Records (ePA) as well as telemedicine and mobile health applications.
E-prescription
A digital prescription issued electronically by a doctor. It facilitates prescription management and reduces sources of error caused by handwritten prescriptions.
Electronic certificate of incapacity for work (eAU)
The electronic certificate of incapacity for work is created digitally and sent directly to the health insurance company. The employer can request this from the health insurance fund. This saves time and paper and simplifies the process.
Electronic Health Card (eGA)
In some publications, the term is used synonymously with Electronic Patient Record (ePA). In contrast to the Electronic Patient Record (ePA), however, the term does not describe a solution that is subject to standardised legal regulations.
Electronic Health Card (eGK)
The Electronic Health Card serves as an insurance card and enables emergency data or medication plans to be stored if required. Otherwise, no medical data is stored on it. The card provides access to medical services and supports electronic communication in the healthcare sector.
Electronic case file
A digital file that is created specifically for a particular treatment case. It can be part of the ePA as it contains information about a specific course of treatment. Healthcare providers (doctors, hospitals, therapists) can use it to collaborate better with each other.
Electronic emergency data
Quickly retrievable digital data containing important medical information such as allergies, previous illnesses and current medication. They are stored in the ePA and can be life-saving in an emergency.
Electronic doctor's letter (eDoctor's letter)
Digital letter used between doctors to transmit findings and reports. It facilitates communication and coordination of treatment. It can be stored in the ePA.
Electronic medication plan
A digital list of all a patient's current medication. It helps to maintain an overview and avoid interactions and can be integrated into the ePA.
Electronic Patient Record (ePA)
The Electronic Patient Record (ePA) is a centralised collection of all a patient's medical data. It is subject to the patient's sovereignty and is accessible to authorised doctors. It enables comprehensive and continuous medical care.
Health ID
Unique identifier used in the healthcare sector for secure and unambiguous authentication. It should not be confused with the electronic identity (eID) of the ID card, which is used for general digital authentication purposes.
Telematics
Basic technical infrastructure for digital networking in the healthcare sector. It enables the secure and rapid exchange of medical data between different players.
Telemedicine
Remote treatment and counselling of patients using digital communication technologies such as video consultations and online consultations. It improves access to medical care, especially in rural areas. The ePA is not a mandatory prerequisite for telemedical treatment.
Further terms from the digital healthcare sector
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is the technology that enables machines to learn, solve problems and make decisions. It is used to support diagnoses (e.g. skin cancer screening or the interpretation of X-ray images).
Big data
The analysis of large, complex amounts of data to gain insights. In healthcare, big data is used to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases.
Digital health applications (DiGA)
Digital health applications, apps and software that are used to recognise, monitor, treat or alleviate illnesses. They can be prescribed by a doctor.
Digital care applications (DiPA)
Digital care applications that support people in need of care and family carers. They provide assistance in everyday life and improve the quality of care.
Electronic identity (eID)
The electronic identity (eID) is a digital identifier that is used for the secure authentication and identification of persons in various online services and administrative processes. In Germany, the eID is firmly linked to the new ID card and enables the use of the online ID function. It should not be confused with the health ID, which is specific to the healthcare system.
Health apps
Mobile applications that are used to promote and monitor health. They can support fitness, nutrition, medication intake and many other aspects of health management.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things: networked devices and sensors that collect and exchange data. In healthcare, for example, it enables remote monitoring of patients.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the German term for AI and encompasses the same technologies and applications.
Communication in Medicine (KIM)
Communication in medicine: a secure communication system for doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers
Mobile Health (mHealth)
Mobile health services supported by mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. They include health apps, wearable devices and mobile health platforms.
Online consultation
Virtual consultations between patients and doctors conducted over the internet. They offer easy access to medical advice without a physical visit to the doctor.
Telediagnostics
Remote diagnosis using digital communication technologies. It enables examination and diagnosis by specialists, regardless of the patient's location.
Telemonitoring
The remote monitoring of patients by medical professionals using networked devices. It is used for the continuous monitoring of chronic diseases.
VR
Virtual reality, a technology that creates computer-generated environments. It is being researched in the healthcare sector for therapies, training and patient experiences and is already being used in some cases.
Wearable
Portable devices such as fitness wristbands or smartwatches that record and monitor health data such as heart rate and activity.
Important laws and regulations
Digital Act (DigiG)
Promotes the integration and use of digital healthcare applications. A central component of the law is the establishment of the Electronic Patient Record (ePA) for everyone.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation regulates the protection of personal data in the European Union and is relevant for all digital health applications.
Digital Healthcare Act (DVG)
Promotes digitalisation in the healthcare sector and the introduction of digital healthcare applications, including the ePA.
E-Health Act
The law to promote digitalisation in the healthcare sector, which supports the introduction of the ePA and other digital healthcare services.
Act on Digital Health Applications (GDNG)
Regulates the authorisation, prescription and reimbursement of digital health applications that can be integrated into the ePA.
Patient Data Protection Act (PDSG)
The law on the protection of patient data when using digital health applications and services. It plays an important role in the secure use of the ePA.
Would you like to find out more about ePA? Find out more at ePA für alle | AOK