DiGA – A Chance for the German Healthcare System

Abstract

A DiGA is a safe and data-protected interoperable medical device (officially called a "digital health application") of a low-risk class, which has the potential to improve the healthcare system in Germany for patients - with or without the involvement of a physician. It therefore already represents the first component of the envisaged future digitalised healthcare. In order not to promote the emergence of parallel healthcare markets (3(rd) Healthcare Market), a rapid rethinking is necessary, above all among physicians requiring more expertise and competence regarding digitalisation. Continuing Medical Education (CME) can accompany and accelerate this process and thus contribute to the success of digital healthcare, which offers solutions to current challenges for the benefit of patients.