Stud Health Technol Inform. 2026 May 7;335:96-101. doi: 10.3233/SHTI260062.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary health care forms the backbone of comprehensive and patient-centered healthcare in Austria and Germany. Particularly in rural areas, there are increasing gaps in local patient care.
OBJECTIVES: Hybrid health care services should ensure multidisciplinary primary health care at the community level.
METHODS: A mixed-methods approach consisting of a semi-structured literature review and an online survey of mayors and heads of administration in municipalities in Upper Austria and Upper Bavaria (12/2025, N=757, n=78, rr=10.3%) was conducted.
RESULTS: An average level of digital maturity was identified in municipalities of Upper Austria and Upper Bavaria. Furthermore, the future establishment and expansion of digital health care services was identified as a key lever.
CONCLUSION: In the future, primary health care at the community level will be characterized by hybrid healthcare services.
PMID:42119098 | DOI:10.3233/SHTI260062
