Long waiting times in the telephone loop at the doctor's surgery or full waiting rooms despite appointments - most of us are probably familiar with this. But medical care in Germany is becoming increasingly digital. What sounded like a dream of the future just a few years ago has now become part of everyday life for many patients. The advantages are obvious: time savings, flexibility and relief for practices and patients alike.

Book doctor's appointments conveniently online

The first step to seeing a doctor is often making an appointment. More and more people are using special apps and portals for this. Platforms such as Doctolib, Jameda or Clickdoc make it possible to search for available appointments with specialists in the vicinity around the clock.

Particularly practical: you can see at a glance when the next appointment is available, book it with just a few clicks and receive automatic reminders by text message or email. No more annoying waiting on hold on the phone.

The video consultation: a visit to the doctor in your living room

A physical visit to the practice is not absolutely necessary for every health concern. Many medical practices now offer video consultations for initial assessments, discussing laboratory results or follow-up examinations. In 2024, more than 700,000 of these digital treatments took place in Germany.

All you need is a smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection. You will receive a link from your practice in advance, which you can use to dial into a virtual waiting room for the agreed appointment. The doctor will then call you on the screen. This not only saves you traveling, but also protects you from possible infection in the waiting room.

The e-prescription: managing medication digitally

Since the beginning of 2024, electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions) have been mandatory for prescription medicines in Germany. This means that the pink paper slip is largely a thing of the past. When your doctor prescribes you a medication, this is stored digitally on a central server.

You have various options for redeeming the prescription:

• With the electronic health card (eGK): you simply insert your card into the reader at the pharmacy.
• Using the e-prescription app: You can use the official app to manage prescriptions and send them directly to a pharmacy of your choice.
• As a printout: If you wish, you can still receive a paper printout with a QR code at the pharmacy.

Many online pharmacies also offer the option of scanning the e-prescription directly into their app or redeeming it using the CardLink process so that the medication can be conveniently delivered to your home.

Specialized telemedicine: new approaches to treatment

In addition to traditional visits to GPs and specialists, specialized telemedicine platforms have also become established in recent years that focus on specific symptoms. Here, patients often first fill out a detailed digital health questionnaire, which is then evaluated by specialists.

This completely digital process is particularly appreciated for treatments that require a high degree of specialization or where discretion plays a major role. One example of this is pain therapy. Patients with chronic complaints can now order medical cannabis online via specialized platforms after a medical examination. The entire process - from answering the medical questionnaire to the doctor's prescription and delivery by partner pharmacies - is carried out digitally and easily from home.

Conclusion: Using the digital doctor's visit as a supplement

Digital visits to the doctor do not replace face-to-face examinations for every concern, but they are an excellent addition. Digital processes save time, reduce stress and make healthcare a little more accessible for all of us. Why not give it a try at your next appointment?