It all starts with the name. “Digital self-onboarding service for the EPR may sound like a bit of a mouthful,” says Michel Summermatter with a laugh. “But we want to make it clear that all interested parties can open their electronic patient records independently and digitally from A to Z with our onboarding service.”
Michel Summermatter is a product owner at Swiss Post, while Dirk Wiedenhöfer works for Post Sanela Health AG and leads the “Digital self-onboarding” project. Both specialists know the digital onboarding service inside out and explain what exactly “digitally from A to Z” means.
Online identification instead of appearing in person
Those interested in opening an EPR via the online service are first requested to identify themselves. This is a requirement of the Federal Act on the Electronic Patient Record (EPRA) and serves as a security measure. “Previously, people had to appear in person at an opening point. Now, however, people can identify themselves using the SwissID App,” explains Dirk Wiedenhöfer. A photograph of the person’s identity card or passport is taken, and the passport’s biometric chip is also read. A video selfie is then taken. “In most cases, online identification using a passport is completed automatically within a few minutes. A manual background check is required when using an identity card, so the process lasts a little longer,” says Michel Summermatter, explaining the difference between the two forms of identification.
Sign the application form digitally and create the EPR fully automatically
The digital signature follows online identification in the SwissID App. This is completed in just a few clicks. The applicant is now ready to apply for their EPR online and sign their application and declaration of consent digitally in the SwissID App. Michel Summermatter explains what happens next: “The EPR is now created automatically in the background. After three to five minutes, the applicant receives their one-time user data for the first login by e-mail and SMS.” The EPR is linked with the SwissID App during the first login, making it easier to access in future. After this, the EPR is fully functional. Users can upload their healthcare documents, change their confidentiality levels and authorize health professionals to view or file their documents.
But what if their doctor isn’t entered in the EPR register? “Then it’s worth enquiring or just being patient – more and more health professionals, hospitals and clinics are connecting to the EPR,” says Dirk Wiedenhöfer.
Open your EPR anytime and anywhere
Anyone interested can open their EPR anytime and anywhere using the online application process. A stable Internet connection and a smartphone supporting at least iOS 13 or Android 8 is required alongside a valid passport or identity card.
“The service is designed in such a way that the EPR can not only be opened by applicants at home from their sofa, but can also be integrated easily into hospitals’ and medical practices’ processes. It can be used when registering at the clinic or in the waiting room, for example,” says Dirk Wiedenhöfer.
Tips and tricks
The online onboarding process takes around 20 to 30 minutes. “Anyone who wants to open their EPR quickly should use their passport for identification. If your smartphone screen is too small, it’s best to start the application process on your computer and then switch to the SwissID App on your phone only when required,” says Michel Summermatter. He adds: “We’re working continuously to improve and develop the service. Registration will be even quicker and easier in the future.”
