Digital healthcare: Video consultations are revolutionizing emergency medicine!

Digital healthcare: Video consultations are revolutionizing emergency medicine!

On June 2, 2025, a new study showed that the use of video consultations in pediatric emergency services in North Rhine-Westphalia can enable significant progress in healthcare. The study, carried out by Professors Alscher, Wissing (both from the Business School Berlin) and Dr. Pollmanns, which was carried out by the North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, focuses on the use of these digital health solutions as part of comprehensive health care.

What is particularly noteworthy is that 90% of patients are satisfied with the services they receive. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 61% shows great potential for video consultations in pediatrics. In addition, a case completion rate of 45% was determined, with 73% of cases being treated successfully without further use of emergency services. These results point to faster diagnostics and advice, which is a key goal of digital healthcare.

The “ehealth first” concept

The premise of “ehealth first” states that patient-centered technologies should work across spaces and regardless of location. This strategy not only focuses on children, but also shows potential in geriatrics and geriatric care. Accurate technologies could also contribute to improving medical care here in the future, which further underlines the need for digital innovations. Digitalization is changing many areas, especially healthcare, where it offers opportunities for faster communication and more efficient administrative processes.

Improved digital infrastructure enables the elimination of outdated means of communication such as fax messages and paper forms. A central point is the systematic evaluation of health data, which makes it possible to detect diseases at an early stage and develop individual therapeutic approaches.

Legislation and digital innovations

From 2025, an electronic patient file (ePA) will also be available to all those with statutory health insurance, unless they object. This measure is part of a comprehensive legal framework that promotes digitalization in the healthcare sector. The relevant laws include the E-Health Act and the Digital Care Act, which promote innovative medical applications and the networking of all healthcare players.

Telemedicine solutions are a key element that can replace doctor's visits, while health apps that support therapeutic measures are already available with a prescription. The comprehensive digital networking is made possible by the telematics infrastructure, which ensures the secure exchange of information between practices, hospitals and other facilities.

This comprehensive digital strategy also aims to address the challenges posed by the increasing number of older and chronically ill people. The digitalization of healthcare is seen not only as a necessity, but also as an opportunity to improve the quality of medical treatment and strengthen patients' health literacy.

Overall, the study shows businessschool-berlin.de that the use of digital technologies in healthcare not only represents potentially more efficient solutions, but can also significantly increase patient satisfaction. The detailed information on digitalization in healthcare comes from bundesgesundheitsministerium.de as well as from healthy.bund.de.