How was the content of the digitalisation strategy developed?

In developing the Strategy, the Federal Ministry of Health used an intensive process in which a large number of stakeholders in the health and long-term care system, in particular patients and persons in need of long-term care and their friends and family, were involved at an early stage. In an open and participatory process, the different perspectives and suggestions were addressed and discussed using various participative and dialogue formats. Subsequently, the ideas and suggestions were evaluated and the strategy document prepared.

Stage	Explanation
1. Kick-off Event	At the start of the participative process, stakeholders from healthcare and long-term care were invited to a kick-off event attended by the then Federal Minister of Health.
2. Expert Interviews	Experts were interviewed to discuss the major challenges and action areas involved in the digitalisation of health and care.
3. Online Survey	Via a broad-based online public call for input, a mood picture was acquired and participants were given the opportunity to submit suggestions, critique, position statements and ideas.
4. Specialist Forums	Eight specialist forums were held with representatives from various stakeholder groups from healthcare and long-term care.
5. Online Input	Key points deemed important in the further development of the Strategy could be commented on online by the stakeholders involved in the process.
6. Outcome	Based on the input received from all participative and dialogue formats, a joint vision along with joint goals, objectives and measures was developed for three different action fields. These form the basis for an effective, targeted Digitalisation Strategy for Health and Care. The Digitalisation Strategy was published on 9 March 2023.

 

In view of current developments – in particular the establishment of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), the advances made in the field of artificial intelligence and the planned primary care system – an update on the further development of the Digitalisation Strategy was published in February 2026.  Its elaboration was based on a participatory participation process in the summer and autumn of 2025 to involve a wide array of relevant actors from various areas of the health and long-term care system.  The perspectives and ideas of the stakeholders were collected in an online survey and five thematic specialist forums. They are central to the digital transformation of the health and long-term care system.