PERSPECTS – User perspectives on the introduction of electronic patient records: a mixed-methods study
Topic area 8: Accompanying research on the introduction of contradiction-based electronic patient records
Brief description
The introduction of the electronic patient record (ePA) was an important step towards the digitisation of the German healthcare system. With the help of the ePA, patients can securely access and manage their medical data in a centralised location. This enables better communication between patients and healthcare professionals, improves data security and makes medical care more efficient.
Although there is broad consensus in society, politics and science about the advantages of the ePA, its use and acceptance have so far fallen far short of expectations. The aim of the project is therefore to find out where and on what occasions people experience the personal benefits of the ePA, how their experiences change over time and what barriers they perceive.
To this end, user groups will first be established in which the different perspectives of users and non-users of the ePA will be recorded. Aspects that go beyond technical understanding and digital requirements will be taken into account. Evaluation criteria will be defined in the user groups and results from interviews and written surveys will be discussed. This will take place in the form of workshops and focus groups. Both the individual interviews and the surveys will be conducted again at a later date in order to gain insights into changes in usage over time. The results will be used to provide users with targeted information and assistance. For this purpose, a so-called ePA guide will be created.
The project will be funded for three and a half years with a total of approximately £1.67 million.
The results can be used to improve the usability and acceptance of the ePA. This can be done by deriving suitable communication strategies or adapting the ePA to the needs of users.
Are you interested in participating in the study?
Then please contact Franciska Hermanns.
Tel.: 0511 - 532 54 21
Mobile: 0176 - 1532 54 21
Email: PERSPECTS@mh-hannover.de
Consortium leadership
Dr Gabriele Seidel
Hannover Medical School
Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research
Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1
30625 Hannover
+49 511 532-8456
Seidel.Gabriele@mh-hannover.de
Funding
The project is being funded for 3.5 years (January 2026 through June 2029) with a total of approximately 1.6 million euros by the Innovation Committee of the Joint Federal Committee (grant number 01VSF25048).
Collaborators
Dr Gabriele Seidel
Antje Meyer
Leonard Oppermann
Franciska Hermanns
Consortium partners
The Alliance for Chronic and Rare Diseases (ACHSE) e. V. is the umbrella organisation for self-help groups for people with rare diseases in Germany. As a network of more than 140 patient organisations and foundations, ACHSE represents the interests of around four million people affected by rare diseases and their families. It connects those affected, self-help groups, medical and research professionals, and stakeholders in the healthcare sector, and offers independent advice and support.
AOK Lower Saxony is the largest statutory health insurance fund in the state of Lower Saxony and insures more than three million people. With a comprehensive network of branches and a wide range of digital services, it supports its members in all matters relating to health, prevention, care and medical treatment. As a key player in the healthcare sector, AOK Lower Saxony is also involved in numerous projects promoting health and health literacy.
GesundheitsAkademie e. V. is a non-profit organisation that has been working for many years to promote health, patient-centred care and equal opportunities in health. The organisation brings together committed individuals, initiatives and institutions from the health sector and fosters dialogue between academia, clinical practice, self-help groups and civil society. A particular focus is on strengthening health literacy, providing independent patient information and promoting patient involvement.
The Patient University at Hannover Medical School (MHH) is a unique educational programme in Germany designed to promote health literacy. It is aimed at patients, their relatives and any interested members of the public, and provides scientifically sound, independent and clearly presented health information.
Through lectures, courses, digital learning resources and other educational formats, the Patient University bridges the gap between specialist medical knowledge and the general public.
Dear prospective participants,
We are looking for participants interested in a research project on the electronic patient record (ePA) who would like to share their experiences and opinions. To this end, we are conducting interviews with people covered by health insurance – regardless of whether you already use the ePA or not.
We have summarised all the details regarding participation for you in the attached study information sheet.
Who can take part?
You can take part if you:
- are at least 18 years old
- live in Germany
- have sufficient knowledge of German
- are able to actively participate in two interviews and at least one face-to-face meeting as part of a workshop session
- are covered by statutory health insurance
What can participants expect?
- Two telephone interviews (approx. 45 minutes each) in 2026 (period: August to October) and 2028 (period: May to July)
- Participation in a face-to-face meeting (2027 and 2028, each lasting approx. 2 hours) in Hanover or Munich
An allowance is provided for participation:
- €50 per interview and €50 for a face-to-face meeting
- an additional bonus of €75 for participating in both interviews and a face-to-face meeting
- reimbursement of any travel expenses incurred
Interested?
If so, please feel free to contact our interview coordinator, Franciska Hermanns:
Office hours: Monday to Thursday from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm
Telephone: 0511-532 5421 – Mobile: 0176-1532 5421
Email: PERSPECTS@mh-hannover.de
The abstract “User perspectives on the introduction of the electronic patient record: study protocol for a mixed-methods study (PERSPECTS)” has been accepted for presentation at the DKVF. The 25th German Congress on Health Services Research will take place from 23 to 25 September 2026 on the campus of Cologne University Hospital under the theme “People. Relationships. Organisations. 25 Years of Joint Health Services Research”.
The presentation will take place on 23 September 2026 from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.
The abstract “User perspectives on the introduction of the electronic patient record: study protocol for a mixed-methods study (PERSPECTS)” has been accepted by the DGSMP as a poster. The 61st GDSMP Annual Conference will take place from 29 September to 2 October 2026 at the Georg-August University of Göttingen. For the first time, the conference will be held jointly with the German Society for Medical Sociology (DGMS) and the Evidence-Based Medicine Network (EbM-Netzwerk). The theme is: “Shaping health – tackling societal challenges together”.
The presentation will take place on 1 October 2026 from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm.