ePA: Sensitive psychotherapy data endangers patient trust
From 1 October 2025, psychotherapists will be obliged to fill the electronic patient record (ePA) with relevant documents, including sensitive psychotherapy data – unless patients expressly object. Many affected people are not aware of this regulation, which undermines trust in the therapy and the success of treatment, warns the association unith e.V.
The introduction of the ePA represents a step forward in networked health care, but there is a lack of sufficient information for patients in the sensitive area of psychotherapy. Politicians and health insurance companies have so far made the information incomplete, so that many do not know that they can keep certain documents out of the ePA. This carries the risk of damaging the therapeutic relationship.
Unith e.V. calls for measures to make digitization patient-friendly:
- Understandable communication: Health insurance companies and practices should inform patients about rights and options in simple language.
- Specific data protection: Sensitive psychotherapy data may only be stored with explicit consent.
- Better preparation: Competent advice on the ePA must be integrated into the further training of psychotherapists.
The association emphasizes that digitization can improve care as long as it strengthens trust and does not weaken it. Prof. Dr. Rudolf Stark, Chairman of the Board of unith e.V., underlines the need to inform those affected at an early stage in order to avoid surprises.
The articles in the news section are produced by X-Press journalist office
Gender note. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple references and gendered designations are avoided in favor of better readability.
Most read
One Health: New approach to early detection of pandemics through wildlife surveillance A groundbreaking study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem proposes to use wild animals as an earl...- New recommendations for long-term follow-up of young cancer patients An interdisciplinary team from the University Hospitals of Leipzig and Dresden and the National Cent...
- New S3 guideline on lichen sclerosus: Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial Lichen sclerosus (LS), a chronic, non-infectious skin disease, causes itching, pain, and scarring ch...
