The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) is one of the major reforms of digital healthcare in Switzerland. Its objective is clear: to facilitate coordination between healthcare professionals and improve patient follow-up through centralized and secure access to medical information. But one question often arises: who is legally required to provide the EPR in Switzerland?
Who is required to provide the EPR?
Under the electronic patient record framework, the law distinguishes several categories of healthcare professionals:
- Doctors working in hospitals and clinics: they are required to participate in the EPR and allow their patients to access it.
- Pharmacists: since 2022, the obligation also applies to recognized pharmacies, which must be able to supply and consult the EPR.
- Birthing centers and nursing homes: also subject to the obligation, to ensure continuity of care.
On the other hand, for doctors in private practice, specialists, physiotherapists or laboratories, participation is not (yet) mandatory. However, they may choose to voluntarily join the system, which often provides a competitive advantage and added value for their patients.
Is the EPR mandatory for private practice doctors?
As of today, general practitioners and specialists in private practice are not required to offer the EPR. However, this situation could change in the medium term, as the federal government strongly encourages digitalization and interoperability of healthcare systems. Choosing to offer the EPR now makes it possible to anticipate future legal requirements, while also strengthening patient trust and loyalty.
What are the benefits of offering the EPR in your practice?
Even without a legal obligation, joining the EPR offers several advantages:
- Increased visibility: a practice connected to the EPR gains credibility with patients and partners.
- Improved follow-up: easier access to patient histories, examinations, and treatments.
- Reduced information loss: fewer risks related to paper transfers or email exchanges.
- Time savings: better coordination among the various actors involved in patient care.
Modernize your practice
EPR and the digitalization of medical practices
The EPR is part of a broader trend: the digitalization of medical practices. Today, solutions already exist to simplify the daily management of a practice, such as:
- Online appointment booking to streamline scheduling.
- Teleconsultation to maintain continuity of care.
- Integrations with practice management software to facilitate exchange with other healthcare professionals.
By combining these tools with the EPR, practitioners strengthen both their internal efficiency and the quality of service provided to their patients.
A partial obligation but an opportunity for all with the EPR
The EPR is not yet mandatory for all healthcare professionals, but it is gradually becoming so for certain key actors in the system. For others, adopting it voluntarily is a way to prepare for the future and provide better service to patients.
