8 digital trends in healthcare in 2025

How can we make the healthcare system fit for the future and provide high-quality, efficient patient care? Digital healthcare is one answer, given that it allows processes to be optimised, facilitates access to care, and ultimately ensures a higher quality of care for all.

While many processes are still paper-based and communication between the different players in the healthcare system – not least doctors, patients, hospitals and pharmacies – often remains laborious and fragmented, the pressure is growing to finally upgrade and, in some cases, redesign these systems from scratch. Of course, such changes are already afoot, with developments such as the electronic patient record (ePA) and telemedicine applications – signalling an important first step in the right direction.

Current challenges in the healthcare sector

The healthcare sector is currently facing a number of complex challenges that require both short-term adjustments and long-term transformations. The impact of these challenges is felt above all by patients and professionals. Long waiting times, a lack of transparency and increasing work pressure lead to frustration and strain. Patients are finding it increasingly difficult to access qualified care quickly, while professionals often struggle to overcome bureaucratic hurdles while contending with insufficient resources in their day-to-day lives.

• Cost pressure: With an ageing society, economic crises and ever-evolving demands, demographic changes are leading to a rise in health insurance contributions and increased pressure on costs and efficiency across all areas of the healthcare system. Workflows and processes need to be optimised and bureaucracy reduced.
• Skilled worker shortage: The increasing shortage of qualified specialists is putting an additional strain on current staff. Digital healthcare is also increasing the need for ongoing, targeted training and development – without these measures interfering with everyday working life.
• Bidirectional communication: At the heart of the transformation is the dialogue between patient and provider, which must become both more transparent and faster, for example through digital services such as online appointments and patient portals. Practices and hospitals that fall short of meeting these expectations risk losing their competitiveness. It is also necessary for all stakeholders to adapt to the new sources of information and communication formats. Nevertheless, personal support remains of central importance.
• The Hospital Care Improvement Act (KHVVG): KHVVG is a new act that is set to usher in sweeping changes to the hospital landscape and care structures in Germany. Digitalisation is an important building block here, both in terms of the law itself and in support of the necessary restructuring measures.
• New regulations: New legal requirements, such as stricter data protection regulations (Digital Service Act; DSA) and the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), are entering into force to increase patient protec-tion.
• Cyber and data security: In light of sensitive health data, it is becoming increasingly important to protect against cyberattacks. Data misuse by cybercriminals could have significant consequences for patients and providers. However, these cases can be prevented through application of the right measures and appropriate expertise.
• Fragmentation of IT systems: In healthcare, exchanging data is often a cumbersome process, making the introduction of interoperability standards all the more urgent. These are designed to ensure that data can be easily exchanged between hospitals, medical practices, pharmacies and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector.

8 important digital trends in healthcare for 2025

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Generative AI or large language models (LLMs) will continue to be a key topic in 2025 and offer many potential applications in a wide range of areas.

• Whether for analysing MRI images or predicting the progression of a disease, the use of AI in healthcare is becoming a valuable tool in the field of diagnosis and therapy.
• Chatbots will find their way into more and more areas of personalised patient communication (Find out more about the chatbot ISA, developed by the pharmaceutical company Berlin-Chemie and im-plemented in collaboration with IBM iX).
• This technology will increasingly be used to create and process health-related information and be made available quickly through multiple channels, thus putting more comprehensive information in-to patients’ hands.
• Generative AI or LLM-based co-pilots will be available both for bureaucratic administrative process-es and in care environments. In areas where there are no special, officially introduced solutions, employees will gradually acquire and use solutions themselves via private accounts.
• Building on these co-pilots will be the first AI agents, which will be embedded in the healthcare sector with the purpose of linking and managing interrelated work processes. Providers such as Hippocratic AI and Isaree are currently positioning themselves in the market with the aim of introducing more AI agents to the supply chain.

ISA, a chatbot based on generative AI and scientifically substantiated data on COPD and asthma, can be used as part of therapy.

2. Electronic patient records (ePA) and TI-Messenger (TI-M)

The electronic patient record was introduced as an opt-out application in some model regions in January 2025. It facilitates access to patient data, thereby improving interdisciplinary collaboration. A nationwide roll-out will take place on a step-by-step basis.

TI-Messenger enables fast, secure real-time communication in the healthcare sector through the power of short messages. For example, questions about prescription medication, information about available laboratory findings or requests for callbacks can be answered quickly, which saves time.

In view of some vulnerabilities discovered by security researchers, it could be wise for the entire Telematics Infrastructure (TI) system and its services to embrace the principles of open-source develop-ments more comprehensively. Useful experience acquired in this field, e.g. with the roll-out of the CovPass, should also be applied to such infrastructure, as this promotes security and trust.

3. Data interoperability

The ability to exchange health data in a structured and secure manner in real time is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for seamless patient care.

A key development here is the broad-based establishment of open standards such as FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), which enable medical information to be transferred. Modern interface technologies create the basis for seamless communication between hospitals, medical practices, digital health platforms and wearables.

This technological development not only improves the quality of treatment but also significantly reduces the administrative burden. In emergencies or for chronically ill patients in particular, the rapid exchange of data across digital channels can save lives.

4. The ongoing development of telemedicine

Telemedicine is developing rapidly. While video consultations are now well established, 2025 will see the adoption of applications such as remote operations and digital monitoring of chronic diseases. It is also expected that video consultations will become a standard in other areas, too.

The ability to care for patients regardless of location paves the way for improvements to care, especially for people in neglected regions, as it facilitates access to specialists.

In addition, the regulations negotiated between the GKV-Spitzenverband (the national association of statutory health insurance funds) and pharmacists regarding the provision of assisted telemedicine services in pharmacies are set to be applied with effect from 31 May 2025. As a result, there is the opportunity to advise and instruct patients on site as to how to use these services. In addition, other medical services (vaccinations, blood pressure and blood glucose measurements, weight monitoring, etc.) are expected to be available in pharmacies.

5. Digital health platforms

Platforms will increasingly become a cornerstone of connecting patients, physicians and providers in the healthcare sector. This will be the case across different levels: in the business sector, with platforms such as Salesforce HealthCloud or LifeScience Cloud, as well as in the B2C and B2B2C sector, with providers such as DocMorris, Shop Apotheke and Doctolib. Pharmacies themselves will also have to become more closely connected to platforms to be able to offer additional digital services.

6. Wearables and remote monitoring

Wearable technologies such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and medical IoT devices are revolutionising preventive medicine and the management of chronic diseases. Real-time data enables more accurate diagnosis and early intervention to relieve overcrowded hospitals, reduce costs and provide better care for patients. Israel is regarded as a pioneer in this field, showing how the use of remote monitoring, AI-supported analysis and telemedicine can make the healthcare system more efficient.

The next generation of wearable technologies takes this a step further: implantable devices such as BCIs (brain–computer interfaces) and smart chips provide all-new options for the treatment of chronic pain, epilepsy and paralysis. While these technologies are not yet ready for widespread use in 2025, developments in this field are advancing rapidly – as is the discussion about ethical and data protection challenges.

7. Sustainability and resource management

The vision is clear: to have climate-neutral hospitals and sustainable practices that protect the environment and reduce resource use without compromising the quality of care. This vision will become a reality through environmentally friendly technologies and processes, such as energy-efficient IT infrastructures and digital solutions that cut down on consumption of resources.

Specific solutions include optimised water management, the use of energy-efficient LED lighting, the application of renewable energies, the recycling of medical waste, and the integration of reusable alternatives (providing this is hygienic), and making employees aware of this issue. The reduction and simplification of processes through digitalisation also has a positive impact on improving efficiency in resource management – including in terms of demographic change.

8. Communication as key to better care

In a time when it is becoming difficult to contend with increasing floods of information and disinformation, the right communication is also becoming increasingly critical in the healthcare sector. A sophisticated, digital and patient-centred communication strategy not only improves the quality of care but also reduces costs and increases overall satisfaction.

The right communication is always based on education and discourse. With this in mind, all players in the healthcare sector need to communicate more, be more transparent and, above all, focus more on quality. This is where the healthcare industry can learn from modern marketing. This combines a deep understanding of the customer with strategic communication and a high level of competence in data analysis. Patients benefit from personalised content and more motivation thanks to a combination of authentic stories and gamification.

In addition to traditional marketing strategies, direct doctor-patient communication plays a key role: Patients need to be able to understand their diagnosis and treatment, so they can make informed decisions. Interactive content such as animated explanatory videos or personalised digital guides can be of assistance here, as can secure messaging platforms, video calls and chatbots to answer quick queries.

Conclusion: Digital technologies as groundbreaking innovations in healthcare

In short, 2025 will see many changes that are set to profoundly transform the system. Digital healthcare technologies – especially AI, telemedicine and digital health platforms – offer enormous potential. Not only do they render care more efficient for all, but they ensure it is more patient-centred and sustainable. Digitalisation, paired with the increasing use of AI, is opening the door for several fundamental innovations:

• Automation: Processes such as patient intake, document management, scheduling and billing processes can be automated and made much faster. The time saved can then be used for direct patient care.
• Precise and individual care: AI enables more precise diagnoses, more personalised treatments and better preventive measures, especially for rare or complex diseases.
• Seamless collaboration: A seamless flow of data makes collaboration easier in the healthcare system and saves time. This is a key advantage, especially in emergency situations.
• Networked medical devices: Wearable devices such as blood glucose monitors and ECG monitors save lives and improve the treatment of chronic diseases.
• Better patient retention: Digital healthcare services such as patient portals and apps encourage greater interaction between doctors and patients while increasing satisfaction.
• Promotion of research: The steady increase in health data collected from patient records, genetic information and wearable devices is helping researchers and scientists gain insights more quickly.

The goal now is to use these technologies and opportunities in a targeted manner to meet existing challenges and make healthcare sustainable for all stakeholders.

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