Towards a new digital platform model for information systems integration in the German healthcare industry

This presentation provides the background and context for research into the digitalisation of the German healthcare system, which is based on the “Bismarck model” – a regulated market with a mix of public and private service providers and a moderate level of patient sovereignty. It has a federal, decentralised structure with different actors on a municipal, regional and national level, as well as different roles and responsibilities. Apart from State and individual actors, private sector entities are also involved in operations, management and development. This combination of different actors is a distinctive feature of this structure. To date, there is no sufficient consensus about how these stakeholders could best interact in an integrative and holistic way to support a digitalised ecosystem. There is a clear need for a new generic framework, which includes the processes, roles and responsibilities along the value-creation network, as well as the underlying IT systems. Such a framework can fill a current gap in the research literature, and provide the basis for the development of further concepts and lines of enquiry regarding a future, digitalised healthcare ecosystem in Germany. In addition, it will provide a blueprint for future activities for digital technology practitioners participating in the digital healthcare economy