“In 2013, 89% of the Swiss population had broadband internet access from home, compared with 53% in 2005 (see Fig. 4.6). The share of broadband connections in Switzerland is high when compared to neighbouring countries and above the EU15 average of 75%.

“In 2010, the last year for which data are available, 55% of all Swiss internet users searched the web for health-related content (20% in 2004) (FSO, 2012). More women (62%) than men were looking for health topics online. However, there were no significant differences in usage by level of education or standard of living, in contrast to most other internet activities.

“The federal government’s Health2020 strategy paper (FDHA, 2013) (see section 2.5) includes “make greater use of e-Health” as one objective. The scale-up of e-Health is expected to contribute to efficiency gains, improved coordination and better quality. An e-Health strategy developed by the FDHA and the GDK/CDS was approved by the Federal Council as early as 2007 (FOPH, 2007b). In 2011, a coordination body called eHealth Suisse was set up based on a framework agreement between the FDHA and the GDK/CDS. eHealth Suisse coordinates the implementation of the e-Health strategy. It originally aimed to introduce electronic health records by 2015 but there have been substantial delays. A proposed Federal Law on Electronic Health Records (EPDG/LDElP) was adopted by Parliament on 15 June 2015 (see section 6.2).”

Source: De Pietro C, Camenzind P, Sturny I, Crivelli L, Edwards-Garavoglia S, Spranger A, Wittenbecher F, Quentin W. Switzerland: Health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 2015; 17(4):1–288.

“Electronic identification cards for MHI members that aimed to enable the reliable recording of key medical and personal data were introduced in 2010 (Camenzind, 2012b), however, the introduction of an interoperable national patient dossier (electronic health record) is complicated by the principles of decentralization, privacy and data protection, which are regarded as very important in Swiss health care (Camenzind, 2012b).

“Despite the high computer literacy and prioritization of e-health at the federal level, usage of electronic medical records in primary care is less common than in other countries (Schoen et al., 2012) and there are efforts to overcome physicians’ reluctance to use IT for patient data management (Camenzind, 2012b). Hospital use of e-Health tools is generally thought to be more advanced than in the GP setting and electronic medical records are not uncommon. However, there is considerable variation in use between hospitals and cantons.”

Source: De Pietro C, Camenzind P, Sturny I, Crivelli L, Edwards-Garavoglia S, Spranger A, Wittenbecher F, Quentin W. Switzerland: Health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 2015; 17(4):1–288.

Health Systems Facts is a project of the Real Reporting Foundation. We provide reliable statistics and other data from authoritative sources regarding health systems in the US and several other nations.

Page last updated March 22, 2021 by Doug McVay, Editor.