Digital health applications (DiGA) in the area of tension between progress and criticism : Discussion paper from the "Digital health" specialist group of the German Informatics Society

• Published in: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 107 - 114
• Main Authors: Schlieter, Hannes, Kählig, Maren, Hickmann, Emily, Fürstenau, Daniel, Sunyaev, Ali, Richter, Peggy, Breitschwerdt, Rüdiger, Thielscher, Christian, Gersch, Martin, Maaß, Wolfgang, Reuter-Oppermann, Melanie, Wiese, Lena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-01-2024
• Subjects: Academies and Institutes; Digital Health; Germany; Humans; Germany; Digitalisation; Innovation; Medical device; Health app; Market penetration
• ISSN: 1437-1588
• DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03804-2

Since December 2019, digital health applications (DiGA) have been included in standard care in Germany and are therefore reimbursed by the statutory health insurance funds to support patients in the treatment of diseases or impairments. There are 48 registered DiGA listed in the directory of the Federal Institute of Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), mainly in the areas of mental health; hormones and metabolism; and muscles, bones, and joints. In this article, the "Digital Health" specialist group of the German Informatics Society describes the current developments around DiGA as well as the current sentiment on topics such as user-centricity, patient and practitioner acceptance, and innovation potential. In summary, over the past three years, DiGA have experienced a positive development, characterized by a gradually increasing availability of various DiGA and coverage areas as well as prescription numbers. Nevertheless, significant regulatory adjustments are still required in some areas to establish DiGA as a well-established instrument in long-term routine healthcare. Key challenges include user-centeredness and the sustainable use of the applications.