In an interview with the FAZ, Michael Dohrmann (Partner Industry Lead Life Sciences & Health Care) and Ibo Teuber (Director Life Sciences & Health Care at Deloitte) spoke about the potentials and challenges of the advancing digitization in the health sector. Currently, the lack of transparency in information on the success rates of surgical interventions, long waiting times for specialists and bureaucratic efforts are the most important reasons for the dissatisfaction of Germans. The Digital Supply Act (DVG) can, therefore, meet the need of many patients for data transparency and openness to technical innovations. However, Ibo Teuber clearly sees the legislator’s duty to ensure data security and proper processing of sensitive health data.
In the debate about the DVG regulations for the approval of medical apps, which critics consider premature, both experts emphasize the strict test procedures. These are similar to the approval criteria for drugs and last between three and 12 months. According to Michael Dohrmann, a fundamental rethink is also necessary, as apps can relieve the burden of chronically ill patients in particular. Visits to doctors will also change in the future thanks to the „Digital Twin“, i.e. a digital image of the human body. This will allow diagnostic accuracy to warn patients of possible illnesses at an early stage and treatments to be individually tailored. Similarly, digitally promoted prevention measures would be a way of further taking responsibility for the patient and warning him or her of unhealthy lifestyles and the resulting widespread diseases. Michael Dohrmann sees this as an opportunity to invest saved money in research into areas such as infectious diseases that require funding.
Quelle: faz.net