Doctors assume that SARS-CoV-2, similar to the flu, will become endemic in Germany. It will thus change from an occasional visitor to a permanent guest who will appear again and again at regular intervals. We must therefore currently assume that pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 will continue to have a major impact on our everyday lives in the future and should be prepared for this.
In the event of a viral pandemic, all eyes will be on the healthcare system. The current crisis confirms what the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy has already stated in Germany in 2018: this sector is one of the worst performers in terms of digitalisation. There are many reasons for this - the high level of regulation is probably one of the more important.
Digitalisation could make our health care system much more effective - in current but especially in future crisis situations. We have examined some areas of the health care system under the influence of the current crisis and outline possible paths to a more digital and better future. In this first part we deal with family doctor's practices or outpatient care as well as hospitals or inpatient care. In the second part, we deal with medical technology manufacturers, laboratories or diagnostics and the pharmaceutical industry.