Public perceptions of digitalisation and patient safety: a cross-sectional survey in Germany

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore perceptions of digitalisation and patient safety from the view of the German general public and related sociodemographic factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A nationwide survey was undertaken in 2024, using data from the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) Monitor of Patient Safety. The TK Monitor of Patient Safety is an annual survey of the population on the state of patient safety in medical care. PARTICIPANTS: 1000 German adults (18 years and older). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations among sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education and household income) and perceptions on digitalisation and patient safety. RESULTS: The majority of respondents expected benefits from digital applications in healthcare. Over half of the respondents (58%) believed that artificial intelligence (AI) can help reduce complications and errors, while 49% of the respondents believed that the use of AI poses serious new risks for the healthcare sector. The results showed that sociodemographic variables are important factors influencing patient safety perceptions of digitalisation and AI. Female, older, less educated and/or lower-income individuals were less likely to perceive benefits from digital care applications and AI. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the German public appears to view digital technologies and AI as tools both for improving patient safety and as potential risk factors. Our findings also highlight the importance of analysing sociodemographic factors to identify specific disparities in how different groups are affected by digitalisation. Such analysis is essential for developing targeted strategies that mitigate current patient safety risks, ensuring that digital health solutions are equitable and safe across all demographic groups.

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