Digitalization of outpatient medicine in Germany: Digital dissenters among GPs and specialists do not take these facts into account

What it’s all about

The digitalization of the healthcare system has gained rapid momentum in recent years, and patients increasingly expect doctors in private practice to offer professional digital solutions for their diagnostic and therapeutic options as well as service offerings. This expectation is not just a result of technological advances, but is deeply rooted in human psychology, a fact that the digital dissenters among practice owners do not take into account.

Technological socialization and habit

One factor here is the technological socialization of patients. In a living environment where digital technologies are ubiquitous, people have become accustomed to optimizing and simplifying almost all aspects of their lives through technology. This habit also shapes expectations of the healthcare system. Patients who experience the convenience and efficiency of digital solutions in everyday life project these experiences onto medical care and expect their doctors to offer comparable digital services.

Desire for control and self-determination

The use of digital health solutions offers patients more control and self-determination over their own health. From a psychological perspective, this satisfies the human need for autonomy. Digital tools such as online appointment booking or health apps enable patients to play an active and self-determined role in their health management. This self-determination strengthens the feeling of control and reduces dependence on external circumstances, which is an important motivator for expecting digital services.

Trust and transparency through access to information

Access to information plays a central role in the modern patient-doctor relationship. Digital solutions enable patients to access health information, information about treatment options and their own medical data at any time. This increased level of transparency promotes trust in medical care and strengthens informed decision-making. Psychologically, access to comprehensive information reduces the uncertainty and anxiety often associated with medical decisions.

Time efficiency and convenience

Time is a precious commodity, and patients appreciate the time savings and convenience that digital health solutions offer them. Online appointments, digital prescription ordering and teleconsultations reduce the effort and waiting times associated with traditional doctor visits. The psychological appreciation of efficiency and convenience leads patients to expect their doctors to use these modern options to make their daily lives easier.

Positive experiences and social comparisons

Positive experiences with digital healthcare services at other doctors or healthcare facilities also influence patients’ expectations. When they see that digital services work reliably for others, they develop the desire to experience similar benefits in their own medical care. This social comparison, a basic psychological mechanism, reinforces the demand for digital solutions e.g. . in their own GP practice.

Changing patient expectations due to generational change

Younger generations who have grown up as digital natives have completely different expectations of technology than older generations. These patients inherently expect their medical care to be technologically advanced and digitally integrated. This in turn also influences older patients, who become increasingly open to digital solutions when they recognize their benefits.

Increased need for safety and continuity of care

Digital healthcare solutions not only offer convenience and efficiency, but also an increased sense of security and continuity of care. In times of pandemics or other health crises, for example, telemedicine enables safe and continuous care without personal contact with a doctor. This increased sense of security and the certainty of being well cared for even in difficult times is driving expectations of digital services.

Conclusion

Patients’ expectations of doctors in private practice to offer professional digital diagnostic and therapeutic options and services are also rooted in human psychology. Technological socialization, the need for control and self-determination, trust and transparency through access to information, time efficiency and convenience, positive experiences and social comparisons, generational change as well as the increased need for security and continuity of care are decisive psychological factors that shape these expectations. Doctors must therefore be prepared not only technologically but also psychologically in order to meet the modern demands of their patients and guarantee sustainable medical care.