A nationwide digital maturity assessment of hospitals – Results from the German DigitalRadar
The German government established the Hospital Future Fund in 2019, allocating 4.3 billion Euros to enhance hospital digitalization. The DigitalRadar consortium, commissioned by the Ministry of Health in 2020, developed a digital maturity model to assess hospital digitalization and the impact of the funding. This study examines factors influencing digital maturity in German hospitals and their implications for developing a digital, patient-centered healthcare system. The model, developed through a scoping review and stakeholder feedback, includes 234 items across 7 dimensions of digitalization. It was piloted in 12 hospitals and applied in 1,624 hospitals (91% of all German hospitals) as part of a mandatory self-assessment for funding. The average DigitalRadar score was 33 out of 100. Maturity was highest in structures and systems, and lowest in clinical processes, information exchange, telemedicine, and patient participation, indicating interoperability challenges. Key maturity drivers included teaching status, size, connectivity, and emergency services. This assessment helps hospitals and regulators identify improvement areas and develop digital strategies while providing insights into the relationship between digitalization and care quality.
Geissler, A., J. Hollenbach, M. Haring, V. Amelung, S. Thun and A. Haering (2024), A nationwide digital maturity assessment of hospitals – Results from the German DigitalRadar. Health Policy and Technology, 13, 4, 100904