Majority of Physicians View AI as a Beneficial Prospect in Medicine, According to Research - Majority of Physicians View Artificial Intelligence as a Promising Prospect for Healthcare Industry
Current State of AI in German Medical Sector
A recent survey suggests that AI is viewed as an opportunity by 78% of doctors in Germany, with existing applications in diagnostic support, practice management, and imaging procedures evaluation. Doctors working in hospitals make up 18% of AI users, while the proportion rises to 15% among those in practices and medical care centers.
Ralf Wintergerst, President of Bitkom, commented that AI can potentially render medical care more personalized and efficient. It can assist in medical procedures by providing more precise diagnoses, automating documentation, and enhancing intelligent appointment scheduling—all of which enable doctors to concentrate more on patient care.
Wintergerst also highlighted that Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) have the potential to evade redundant tests, offer faster diagnoses through access to medical history, and prevent medication interactions. Yet, 77% of respondents expressed concern about their preparedness for using EPRs.
Germany recently launched nationwide EPRs after a test phase, and their adoption remains voluntary for doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies. Mandatory use will be implemented from October 1, 2025. Patients can opt-out of EPR usage actively.
The integration of AI and EPRs in German healthcare is key to refining diagnosis and treatment. However, the widespread adoption of these technologies is still in progress, with data standardization, privacy, and security concerns being addressed.
Doctors in Germany consider AI as an aid, not as a substitute, for their roles. A balanced approach is emphasized to maximize AI's analytical capabilities while preserving the empathetic, personal aspects of medical care provided by human doctors.
Future plans include deepening AI's integration into clinical decision-making systems. This entails developing AI algorithms for analysis of large datasets from EPRs, aiming for more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment recommendations. Ongoing efforts are underway to standardize data formats for interoperability and ensure robust privacy and security measures.
- The president of Bitkom, Ralph Wintergerst, foresees AI as a tool to improve the personalization and efficiency of health-and-wellness, particularly mental-health therapies and treatments, in Germany.
- The study reveals that AI technologies, such as artificial intelligence and Electronic Patient Records (EPRs), have the potential to revolutionize medicine in areas like science, medicine, and technology, by providing more precise diagnoses, automated documentation, and intelligent appointment scheduling.
- Further integration of AI and EPRs in the German healthcare sector could lead to advancements in health-and-wellness, medicine, and technology, with a focus on science, mental health, and therapies and treatments, facilitating refined diagnostics, tailored treatment recommendations, and improved patient care.
