Poland has emerged as a leading performer in the digitalisation of healthcare, securing sixth place among EU member states in the newly released Digital Decade eHealth Indicator Study 2025.
The report, which also includes data from Iceland and Norway, assesses progress made by European countries towards the digital transformation of public health systems, based on data collected through December 2024.
Dariusz Standerski, deputy minister of digital affairs and head of the government’s healthcare digitalisation taskforce, said Poland’s advancements reflect a broader commitment to modernising public services.
“Technology should support and ease the burden on healthcare systems,” Standerski told Polityka Zdrowotna, citing improvements in data management, diagnostics, and administrative efficiency. “Today, the e-prescription system eliminates errors and inefficiencies that were once routine,” he added.
eHealth maturity
The report uses 12 indicators to measure the maturity of national eHealth systems. Poland has achieved an impressive 92% eHealth maturity level, surpassing many EU member states typically considered more developed, while the EU average stands at 83%.
Leading the rankings are Belgium and Estonia, which both achieved a perfect score of 100%. Denmark, Lithuania, and Malta rank just above Poland, while Ireland sits at the bottom with only 25% access. Greece recorded the largest improvement, increasing its score by 16 percentage points, although it still ranks fourth from last with 74%.
A key digital tool advancing this progress in Poland is the Patient Online Account, which provides all citizens access to their health data, including the ability to grant access to authorised persons such as children, dependents, or close relatives. This system gives Poland a notable edge in the availability and transparency of medical information.
Currently, Polish citizens can access nine types of electronic health documents via the Patient Online Account. These include e-prescriptions, e-referrals, hospital treatment information cards, diagnostic and laboratory test reports, individual healthcare plans, refusal of hospital admission forms, information for primary care physicians, and the student preventive examination card, which is still being integrated into the system.
Areas for improvement
Despite Poland’s impressive advances in eHealth, the report highlights several areas requiring further attention.
One major recommendation focuses on improving access to medical imaging. Currently, patients can view reports from diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds, X-rays, and CT scans, but do not have direct access to the images themselves. Allowing patients to download and review diagnostic images online would significantly enhance the quality of care and facilitate clearer communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Another critical challenge lies in ensuring the timely and efficient transmission of all medical data to both patients and medical staff. Automation and system integration are pivotal to achieving this goal and driving the continued development of eHealth services.
Standerski emphasises that a key factor in Poland’s digital transformation success is the close cooperation between the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the Ministry of Health. This partnership takes practical form through the Team for Supporting Healthcare Digitalisation, a joint team that defines shared priorities in healthcare digitalisation.
Standerski explained, “The ministry of health is responsible for systems such as the Patient Online Account, while we manage the mObywatel app and other state registries. Our goal is full interoperability between these systems. Each application has its strengths, mObywatel is widespread, the Patient Online Account specialises in health data.”
Looking ahead, the plans go beyond current achievements. The e-Health Centre, which oversees more than 50 digital health systems, is preparing to launch a range of innovative eHealth services funded by the National Recovery Plan, a government initiative designed to stimulate post-pandemic economic recovery.
These include an e-Registration platform that enables quick, convenient booking of medical appointments and tests. There is also an e-Consultation system designed as a secure online collaboration space for specialists and medical teams. Additionally, an e-Profile tool will serve as an early warning system, alerting clinicians to a patient’s deteriorating health. An e-Home suite of tools will also support remote health monitoring, particularly useful for chronically ill patients and elderly people.
Together, these initiatives are set to significantly enhance the scope and quality of Poland’s digital healthcare services.
Digital adoption
Poland’s minister of digital affairs stressed that no one will be forced to use digital applications. He emphasises that digitalisation represents an opportunity, not an obligation, assuring that there will always be the option to handle matters in person at a service desk.
However, officials will also have access to online systems, which will help reduce queues and waiting times. Educational campaigns such as the Intergenerational School are underway to familiarise older generations with new technologies.
Currently, one in three adult Poles uses the mObywatel app, illustrating that digital solutions gain acceptance when they are convenient and user-friendly, the minister highlights.
[VA, BM]
