Nivel: “Monitor Digitale Zorg 2025”

The Monitor Digitale Zorg, published by RIVM, Nivel, and National eHealth Living Lab (NeLL), annually maps developments in the use of digital healthcare and examines its role in addressing societal challenges (such as accessibility, quality, and workforce pressures). Data is collected from healthcare professionals (GPs, medical specialists, occupational physicians, and nurses) and healthcare users (the general population and people with chronic conditions).

Use of digital healthcare is increasing, but video consulting is declining

• Healthcare professionals are using patient portals, remote monitoring, and e-consultations more. Video calls are becoming less common for GPs and specialists. About 20% of doctors now use AI, mainly for tasks like paperwork.
• Healthcare users: The use of digital communication, health apps, Personal Health Environments (PHEs), and patient portals has increased slightly. However, the use of wearables and self-tracking of lifestyle data has decreased.
• Digital divide: The use of digital healthcare remains lowest among older adults (aged 65+) and those with lower educational attainment (primary education or pre-vocational secondary education). An exception is self-measurement of health metrics, where older adults participate more frequently.

Experiences regarding societal challenges

• Healthcare professionals: View digital healthcare moderately positively (6.1/10), valuing its impact on accessibility and patient empowerment, but less so on workload and organisational feasibility.
• Healthcare users are more positive than in 2023, especially on quality and access. But, half worry about less personal contact, and a quarter about privacy. Non-users find apps unhelpful or too complex.

Digitalisation of care processes

• Healthcare professionals are considering the (referral) process of referring patients as most suitable for digitalisation; interventions and aftercare are considered least suitable.
• Healthcare users: Find most care processes desirable to receive digitally, more so than is currently the case. Only within mental healthcare (GGZ) and home care is the desire for digital care lower.
• Shared decision-making discrepancy: a large proportion of healthcare professionals state they decide together with patients on the format of care (digital or physical), whereas only a small proportion of healthcare users recognise this.

Recommendations

The report concludes with three main recommendations to enhance the potential of digital healthcare:

• Focus on accessibility: Additional support is needed for vulnerable groups (older adults, those with lower educational attainment), for example through training in digital health literacy, to align with the Integral Care Agreement (Integraal Zorgakkoord).
• Focus on utility and necessity: A better balance is needed between physical and digital contact to address concerns about privacy and lack of personal interaction. Transparency regarding data exchange can increase trust.
• Deploy where feasible per sector and care process where digitalisation offers added value. Involve both healthcare professionals and users in development and implementation to align with their needs and capabilities. Digitalisation should remain tailored, and physical care must remain available where needed.

Ask us how AI and Care IQ can help.

Source: RIVM, Nivel & NeLL – Monitor Digitale Zorg 2024; publication date April 2025. Full data available via the interactive dashboard at VZinfo.nl/digitale-zorg.