Epic in Europe: A New Era in Healthcare — or a Risky System Change?
- nbogdanovadochev
- March 11, 2026
- FRESH LEMONMINT, TECHTALK
- 0 Comments
The decision by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin to implement the US hospital information system Epic has sparked a debate in Germany, Europe’s largest healthcare market. With an expected investment of around €250 million over ten years, the move has been welcomed by some as a strong signal of commitment to digital innovation. At the same time, it raises fundamental questions about digital sovereignty, data governance, and the future digital infrastructure of healthcare systems.
But beyond geopolitics and technology, a deeper issue emerges: How do hospitals actually generate value from clinical data?
In a new background paper, Claudia Dirks explores this question through an in-depth discussion with Prof. Dr. Katrin Hoffmann, former Chief Medical Officer of Lucerne Cantonal Hospital and one of Europe’s most experienced voices on Epic implementations.
Drawing on real implementation experience, the paper examines:
- What Epic could change for clinical practice in Europe
- Why integrated digital platforms are becoming strategic infrastructure for hospitals
- The tensions between innovation, sovereignty, and dependency
- And what truly determines whether large-scale digital systems create value in healthcare
At a time when European hospitals are reconsidering their digital core systems, this discussion offers a rare inside perspective on the opportunities and risks of the Epic model.
