Swiss Post firmly believes that the electronic patient record (EPR) is part and parcel of a progressive Switzerland. This is because the EPR is more than just a digital healthcare file, it is also the key to more efficient, higher-quality medical care. For the public, it offers the ability to access their own healthcare data anytime and anywhere. Being able to share this information with experts not only enables more efficient data handling, it also increases the data quality.
As the biggest infrastructure operator for the EPR, Swiss Post wants to help to develop it in a targeted manner. For this reason, it has appointed 12 experts from various fields within healthcare to form an EPR advisory board. The inaugural session was held on 1 March 2024.
The specialist committee represents the interests of the cantons, service providers and patients, as well as academic and ethical aspects. As such, the EPR advisory board fosters the exchange of information and ideas across different sectors. For instance, it will look at attempts to harmonize the technical EPR infrastructure and continue to promote its proliferation. Representatives from Germany and Austria will contribute their experiences with similar issues.
The EPR advisory board should not just be seen as a think tank, but also as an ambassador. The voluntary members of the committee will meet at least twice a year and engage with stakeholders in the healthcare sector. The aim is for the EPR to quickly become an integral part of Swiss healthcare provision. Additionally, Swiss Post is also involved in the initiatives and working groups operated by the Swiss Confederation.
