Digital transformation in healthcare is advancing – but its greatest leverage does not lie in the technology itself, but in its impact on people. Chronic diseases in particular show that empowering patients to actively shape their own health not only leads to better care outcomes, but also to a new quality of collaboration between all parties involved.
Activation Instead of Passivity: The Shift in Role Understanding
Patients who are actively involved in their care make more informed decisions, adhere better to treatment plans, and use healthcare services in a more targeted manner. This concept, known as “patient activation”, is gaining international importance – not least because it has been proven to lead to better clinical outcomes.
Digital solutions can support this change by not only providing information, but also motivating people to actively engage with their own health. Interactive formats, personalized content, and gamification elements promote engagement and turn passive recipients into active participants in their own therapy.
Health Literacy in Healthcare
A recent study by the Federal Government’s Patient Representative shows that only about a quarter of the population feels well-oriented amid the flood of health-related information – a historic low. The consequences are serious: lower participation in preventive care, poorer adherence to therapy, and rising costs for the healthcare system.
Health apps can address this issue in a targeted manner – provided they use clear language, medically verified content, and intuitive user guidance. When patients understand why a therapy is important, how it works, and what to look out for, not only does therapy adherence increase, but trust in the healthcare system also grows.
Real World Data: Insights from Everyday Healthcare Practice
In addition to their educational impact, health apps offer another, often underestimated added value: they generate real-world data – data that is collected in real life and provides valuable insights into the behavior, needs, and challenges of patients.
This data can be used to identify gaps in care, improve treatment options, and drive evidence-based, patient-centered innovation. In a recent publication, the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) emphasizes that real-world data is increasingly being incorporated into regulatory decision-making processes, such as the evaluation of drug effects in everyday life.
Insights from Practice
A recent initiative, in which a health app was used specifically to provide information about an innovative therapy concept, shows how these principles can be put into practice. The campaign combined educational content with interactive formats and used anonymized usage data for continuous optimization.
The result: patients felt better informed, were able to have informed discussions with their doctors, and at the same time provided valuable feedback on the effectiveness and acceptance of the therapy. The complete case study with all details and results is available for download here.
Conclusion: Digital Health Literacy as a Strategic Success Factor
Digital health solutions unfold their full value where they not only inform, but also empower. Where they not only collect data but provide insights. And where they not only digitize processes but strengthen relationships – between patients, doctors, and everyone involved in care.
“Health literacy is not a nice-to-have for patients, but is increasingly becoming a fundamental component of modern healthcare. It is crucial that the information available is valid, understandable, and relevant – only then can genuine participation and informed cooperation between patients and physicians be achieved.”
Katharina Knott, COO of Mediteo GmbH
Investing in digital patient education, activation, and data-driven care today not only creates better outcomes, but also sustainable differentiation in a dynamic healthcare market.
Sources
- Patientenbeauftragter der Bundesregierung (2025). Gesundheitskompetenz stärken – Zugang zu verständlichen Informationen verbessern. patientenbeauftragter.de (https://patientenbeauftragter.de/2025/04/02/pressemitteilung-des-beauftragten-der-bundesregierung-fuer-die-belange-der-patientinnen-und-patienten/)
- Nature Research Intelligence (2024). Patient Activation and Engagement in Healthcare. nature.com (https://www.nature.com/research-intelligence/nri-topic-summaries-v9/patient-activation-and-engagement-in-healthcare https://www.nature.com/research-intelligence/nri-topic-summaries-v9/patient-activation-and-engagement-in-healthcare)
- BfArM (2024). Real-World-Daten für die Gesundheitsforschung. bfarm.de (https://www.bfarm.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/Bundesgesundheitsblatt/2024-02/_artikel.html)
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