Digitalization is fundamentally changing our lives – including in medicine. Health information is now accessible anytime and anywhere, and an increasing number of diagnostic and therapeutic services can be delivered digitally. For patients, this represents a tremendous gain in flexibility and accessibility.
At the same time, digital offerings in medicine must meet the highest quality standards. Not every app that carries the label "health" is medically meaningful. What matters is that patients receive professionally accurate, validated, and effective applications – because their health is at stake.
As a member of the Working Group on Digital Health of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and as a researcher in the field of digital psychiatry, I am actively involved in shaping this development. In my private practice, I use approved Digital Health Applications (DiGAs) as a targeted part of my treatment offerings.
DiGAs are certified digital medical devices – typically apps or web-based applications – that can detect or treat illnesses. They differ fundamentally from general wellness apps: DiGAs are subject to the Medical Devices Act and must meet stringent requirements.
What sets a DiGA apart:
- Certification as a medical device: DiGAs must be officially approved. This guarantees data security as well as safety in diagnostics and therapy.
- Proven efficacy: Therapeutic DiGAs must demonstrate their effectiveness in clinical studies – comparable to the approval process for medications.
Patients can rely on DiGAs for evidence-based treatment.
In Germany, the medical prescription of DiGAs has been regulated by law since 2019: Certified applications are reviewed by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), listed in the DiGA directory, and can be prescribed by physicians. The costs are covered by statutory health insurance.
In Austria, comparable legislation is still pending. Cost reimbursement is currently possible through supplementary private insurance. However, the costs for DiGAs are significantly lower compared to traditional therapies
Digital Health Applications are an integral part of my treatment offerings. I use DiGAs in a targeted manner – as a complementary therapy alongside medication and psychotherapy, but also as a standalone treatment option. The selection is individualized and based on your condition, your needs, and the current state of scientific evidence.
Psychiatry can conduct large portions of its diagnostics and therapy without physical examinations – making it especially well-suited for digitalization. Decades of research on the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders clearly show which therapeutic components are particularly effective:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Patients learn to recognize and change distressing thought patterns. This also includes relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Psychoeducation: Patients become experts on their own condition. Those who understand their illness make better treatment decisions and can reliably distinguish credible from unreliable health information.
- Measurement-Based Care (therapy feedback): Psychiatric symptoms are assessed regularly. Patients can thereby recognize early on whether a therapy is working and detect warning signs of relapse in a timely manner.
All three components are combined in the Austrian DiGA edupression.com®. The app is listed as Austria's first DiGA in Germany's BfArM DiGA directory.
I co-developed the medical content of edupression.com® and have scientifically investigated the app's efficacy in clinical studies. On this basis, I recommend edupression.com® with full conviction.
edupression.com® can be purchased directly through the manufacturer's website. As part of my practice-based treatment, I am happy to provide you with guidance and support the use of the app as part of your therapy.