Explore the challenges and implications of implementing electronic health records (ePA) in Germany's healthcare system in this 59-minute conference talk. Delve into the reasons behind the 20-year struggle to successfully implement electronic patient files, examining conceptual, procedural, and communicative obstacles. Analyze the tension between the EU's economic concept of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), fragmented legislation from the Federal Ministry of Health, and a digitalization strategy that falls short of expectations. Gain insights into the potential societal impacts of these decisions on informational health and the healthcare landscape. Discover how patients and doctors are navigating this transformative period and seeking solutions to prevent social fragmentation in the face of mandated digitalization.