Digital transformation in Polish healthcare has ceased to be just a trendy slogan and has become a daily reality. From paper charts bending on shelves, we have moved on to e-prescriptions sent via SMS and medical records accessible on smartphones.
But what does this process look like from the inside? The ninth edition of the survey on the degree of digitization of healthcare entities sheds light on where the Polish e-health system currently stands. It also shows the barriers hospitals face and what changes the Center for e-Health (CeZ) is preparing for us.
Image of reality: Where are we?
The results of the ninth edition of the survey indicate a clear trend: the period of implementing basic tools is behind us. Now, the focus is on the quality and integration of systems.
Here are the key takeaways from the sector analysis:
1. Ubiquity of Electronic Medical Documentation (EMR)
Maintaining documentation in digital form is already a standard in most healthcare facilities. It is no longer an innovation but a legal and organizational requirement that most major entities have dealt with.
2. Infrastructure is improving but requires modernization
Medical facilities are increasingly equipped with hardware. However, the dynamic development of software necessitates constant replacement of servers and workstations, which poses a significant budgetary burden for hospitals and clinics.
Success of e-Services
E-prescriptions, e-referrals, and e-sick leave certificates are key achievements of Polish digitization. Their adoption is almost universal, and societal acceptance is often very high.
Challenges: Not just a matter of money
Despite optimistic statistics, the survey reveals “bottlenecks” that hinder the full development of e-health in Poland.
1. Cybersecurity – a new battlefront
Cybersecurity is currently the number one topic in the healthcare sector. Medical facilities have become targets of ransomware-based cyberattacks. The survey indicates that although awareness is growing, many hospitals still lack dedicated cybersecurity teams or adequate budgets for advanced security systems.
2. Interoperability – data exchange between systems
Systems exist and contain data, but the latter often does not flow smoothly between them. The exchange of EMRs between different facilities, such as between a hospital and a primary care center, still faces technical barriers. The goal is for a situation where a doctor can see a patient’s full treatment history, regardless of where they were treated previously.
Plans of the Center for e-Health (CeZ): What lies ahead?
The Center for e-Health is not slowing down. Clear priorities for the coming years are emerging based on research results and current needs.
1. Central e-Registration
This is one of CeZ’s most ambitious projects. The Center aims to create a system that will allow patients to easily schedule appointments through a central platform, such as IKP. Initially, it will apply to selected services, such as preventive examinations or visits to specialists. This is intended to reduce patient “tourism” and queue blocking phenomena.
2. Development of the Internet Patient Account (IKP)
The mojeIKP application is to become a personal health assistant. Planned feature extensions include:
– Expansion of preventive capabilities, including reminders of examinations
– Easier access to medical documentation for patients
– Handling authorizations for close persons
3. Medical Information System (SIM) 2.0
Modernizing the P1 platform (the heart of Polish e-health) aims to increase system efficiency and stability. This is crucial in the face of the growing number of transmitted EMR documents and server loads.
Summary: Evolution instead of revolution
The ninth edition of the digitization survey shows that the foundations of Polish e-health have been laid. We have e-prescriptions, office systems, and IKP.
We are now entering a phase of maturity. The challenges in the coming years will no longer be simply “buying a computer” but:
– Securing data from cyberattacks
– Utilizing accumulated data (Big Data) for better population health management
– Facilitating the patient’s path through central e-registration
Digitization is an ongoing process. For patients, it means greater convenience and security, while for medical staff, it represents an opportunity for more efficient work and access to complete patient information.