Motion FDP (20.3243): Covid-19. Accelerating digitization in the healthcare sector
Submitted text
The Federal Council is instructed, in cooperation with the stakeholders concerned, to develop the necessary Take measures to accelerate the digitization process of our healthcare system. The emphasis should be on the following points, among others:
1. the electronic patient dossier must quickly become the norm in healthcare for all stakeholders.
2. the use of the Telemedicine is recognized and encouraged.
3. any kind of Correspondence between the players in the health care system takes place digital. Exceptions are possible for communication with patients who have limited access to digital means of communication.
4. the use of Applications, which allow patients to monitor their health status, is being promoted, including in basic insurance.
5. the Online purchase of medicines is facilitated and encouraged during the health care crisis.
Justification
The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted Switzerland’s lagging behind in the digitization of the healthcare system. It has confirmed the alarming finding of the Bertelsmann Foundation that Switzerland ranks 14th among 18 industrialized countries in the 2019 digital health rating.
Switzerland must quickly catch up in this area. The individual electronic patient dossier, which is accepted and also used in the inpatient and outpatient sectors, must be introduced quickly. The Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the need to facilitate and promote access to telemedicine to allow more flexible consultations and avoid unnecessary travel (risk of infection). In addition, correspondence between stakeholders must be exclusively electronic. Exceptions may be made for patients with limited access to digital means of communication. In addition, the use of applications with which the personal state of health can be self-monitored is to be promoted, including in basic insurance. The potential of these new tools must be fully exploited. The Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the need to clarify the issue of obtaining medicines online. In normal times, the delivery of prescription drugs must be facilitated. In times of crisis, it must be possible to order non-prescription medicines directly to the home.
Statement of the Federal Council of 2.9.20
1 to 3 The Federal Council shares the assessment that there is a need to catch up with regard to digitization in the Swiss healthcare system. Thus, as part of the implementation of the Strategy eHealth Switzerland 2.0 from December 2018 the introduction and subsequent dissemination of the electronic patient dossier (EPD) together with the cantons and all involved stakeholders. Further measures to promote the dissemination of the EPD are currently being developed as part of the implementation of the Postulate 18.4328 Wehrli “Electronic patient dossier. What still needs to be done before it can be used across the board?” examined. Promoting the use of telemedicine and the digital exchange of data between all players in the healthcare system (e.g. electronic billing) is also a matter of concern to the Federal Council and is being taken up as part of various projects (e.g. packages of measures to contain costs). The promotion of health-related behavior through the use of digital tools is one of the measures of the National Strategy for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases 2017 – 2024 (NCD Strategy; Measure 2.5, “Promote the use of new technologies”).. Likewise, in the adopted eHealth Strategy 2.0 explicitly mentioned the promotion of mobile health as a goal in order to exploit the potential of telemedicine and telemonitoring.
4. there are already today Digital applications and apps for monitoring the state of health, the reimbursed by the compulsory health insurance (OKP) can be reimbursed. However, as a prerequisite for remuneration, the criteria of effectiveness, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness (WZW criteria) must be met.
On the other hand, the Federal Council rejects the integration of applications for monitoring health status as a function of bonus programs in the OKP. As stated in the opinion on the Motion 18.3976 Humbel “Implementation of the NCD strategy. Use electronic patient dossier for incentives for health-conscious behavior”. the use of such applications must take into account the fact that the principle of solidarity applies to basic health insurance. However, bonus programs of this kind would not benefit people who are ill, physically impaired, elderly, unathletic or not so technically adept. be discriminated against. Similarly, insureds who place a high value on privacy and data protection are disadvantaged.
5. the Federal Council checks in fulfillment of the Postulate Stahl 19.3382 “Mail order of non-prescription medicines”.how mail-order sales of non-prescription drugs can be made possible in normal times without compromising treatment safety and quality compared to dispensing by inpatient specialist retailers. The Federal Council is expected to publish the report on the postulate in the 2022 say goodbye.
As a result of the Covid 19 epidemic, the discussion about lifting the ban on the dispatch of medicines without a doctor’s prescription has become somewhat topical. However, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), together with Swissmedic, the Federal Office for National Economic Supply and the cantonal enforcement agencies, came to the conclusion in the course of an investigation that the care of people who were unable to leave their homes could be ensured even in the extraordinary situation by external hospital services, home deliveries by public pharmacies and drugstores, and help from relatives. Against this background, the adoption of the report in fulfillment of the postulate Stahl 19.3382 can be awaited before further steps are decided.