Find out more about the individual challenges in our series of interviews about the Healthcare Hackathon Bayern!
This time with us:
- Dr. Georg Münzenrieder, Bavarian State Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention
- Dr. Maximilian Rückert, Bavarian State Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention
- Yvonne Mauerer, Medizinischer Dienst Bayern
If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here!
Challenge 3: Making Electronic Patient Record (ePA) Understandable
Effective communication of medical information is crucial for patient com-prehension and engagement. The usability of the electronic patient record (ePA) could be enhanced by developing a translation app or tool that de-mystifies medical wording. Your challenge is to design an app or tool within the ePA that facilitates the translation and interpretation of medical data for patients and their relatives. This includes converting medical terminology and diagnostic codes into layman’s terms and providing comprehensive explanations of e.g. laboratory results. Key features could include translating physician notes into patient-friendly language, interpreting laboratory values with context from validated medical sources, or explaining the implications of medical correspondence. The tool should leverage a curated list of validated sources such as „bund.gesund.de,“ reputable self-support groups, and hotline recommendations depending on the possible medical condition to ensure accurate and reliable information. Optionally, it could offer geo-based suggestions for local specialists for further treatment options or second opinions, and connection to regional self-support groups.
How was this Challenge inspired?
The electronic patient record (ePA) has been a topic of intense interest to us for years when it comes to digitalization in the healthcare sector. So far, it has always been more of a theoretical issue, as the history of the electronic patient record has not been a success yet. This is going to change now with the switch to “ePA for all” at the beginning of 2025. We hope that the system change from opt-in to opt-out will be a game changer in Germany. It is therefore even more important now to clearly highlight the benefits.
Why is this topic so important?
If we manage to get the ePA accepted and used intensively by healthcare stakeholders and patients, we will have a consistent digital foundation in Germany for leaner processes in the healthcare system, for better and personalized medicine and for research and innovation for the benefit of patients.
Why should someone take part at the Healthcare Hackathon Bayern?
We are now at an important, crucial point in the digitalization of the healthcare sector in Germany. Those who join in the development now have the chance to actively shape our healthcare system of the future!
Challenge 4: Electronic Patient Record (ePA) as Preventive Health Platform of the Future
Starting in January 2025, the structure of the electronic patient record (ePA) will change due to the introduction of the “ePA for everyone”. We’re looking for innovative ideas on how to transform the ePA from a system that treats symptoms to one that focuses on prevention and active patient engagement, opening up new possibilities beyond storing patient data. Your challenge is to design an embedded tool within the ePA that can analyze data and provide proactive health reminders, such as upcoming screenings. Consider the technical requirements and data formats necessary for this transformation. Additionally, explore how digital health applications (DiGA) can integrate seamlessly with ePA, creating synergies rather than simply storing unstructured data.
How was this challenge inspired?
We are convinced that the “ePA for everyone” will only be successful for everyone if it offers benefits for everyone. Reminders for vaccinations or check-ups as push notifications via the ePA app, health data from wearables or already prescribed DiGAs available to the attending physician at a glance – that would be tangible added value and would help everyone to live a healthy life. Without such interfaces and the integration of breathing, living data, the ePA remains a PDF graveyard. This is not what the legislators wanted – the ePA is designed for further development. Now is the time to think about tomorrow and drive this development forward.
Why is this topic so important?
As I said, the ePA is designed for further development. If we do not yet develop the products that can fill the ePA with life, it will not be used and, at best, will remain an app corpse on the smartphone. The interface issue is therefore essential in terms of where future developments can start. In the opinion of the State Ministry of Health, Care and Prevention, there is huge potential for both sides – for service providers on the one hand and, of course, for patients on the other. Preventive healthcare is just a first use case – but an important one!
Why should someone take part at the Healthcare Hackathon Bayern?
When else do you have the opportunity to tinker with prototypes today that will influence the lives of around 82 million German citizens next year? Where else can you have such a close exchange with Bavaria’s big players in healthtech? Who wouldn’t want to help shape the future of our healthcare system? And the best thing is: the long-lost ambience of a LAN party is included free of charge!
Challenge 6: Development of an AI for Preparation of Transition Reports
Develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) that reads PDF forms and automatically provides a preliminary assessment to create a transfer report. The AI should determine whether no care level, at least care level 1, or at least care level 2 is present. It is important to emphasize that this assessment is only preliminary and does not replace a complete care report. The complex process of creating a full report is not replaced (it is merely a recommendation).
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For more information and to register for the Healthcare Hackathon Bayern, click here.
