Chapter 16 - Digital health policies and participation for digital transformation in German-speaking countries: A critical approach

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a disruption at the global level with far-reaching consequences, particularly in social and health contexts. In addition to various and serious problems that this crisis brought with it, e.g., shortcomings in national health policies and healthcare systems, it simultaneously unleashed digital potentialities and promises. Although there are several opportunities associated with digital transformation, there are various issues that need to be considered, e.g., the participation of vulnerable groups. On a national level as well as in transnational entities, there are normative frameworks and political strategies that have the potential to contain unleashed forces and to include and consider all population groups. Thus, digital transformation is part of health policy agendas all over the world. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are no exception to this and aspire to benefit from the positive aspects of digitalization. This chapter takes a critical-discursive perspective and aims to analyze digital health/eHealth strategies with a special focus on participation exemplified in German-speaking countries.