08.04.2026

Author: Mario Voge

4 Critical Challenges in Digitizing Healthcare Across Europe

Rising operational costs, combined with a persistent shortage of skilled professionals, are placing significant strain on healthcare systems across Europe. Medical staff are facing growing workloads, while patients are experiencing reduced access to care. Digitization and telemedicine are widely seen as key enablers for addressing these issues. Automating routine administrative processes can free up valuable time for healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus more on patient care. At the same time, remote services can help bridge the gap in underserved regions.

However, this needs systematic digitization of healthcare services, which comes with some challenges:

1. Complexity and strict standards

Implementing digital solutions in healthcare is far more complex than in other industries. The sector operates under strict requirements because it deals with highly sensitive personal data and life-critical decisions. Every digital interaction must ensure robust data security, reliable identity verification, and full traceability of actions, often making transformation slower and more challenging.

At the heart of these challenges lies a fundamental issue: trust. Few sectors depend as heavily on trust as healthcare. Patients must feel confident that their data is handled securely, while healthcare professionals must rely on the accuracy and integrity of digital systems. Without this trust, even the most advanced technologies will struggle to gain adoption. For solution providers entering the eHealth space, establishing and maintaining digital trust is essential.

2. Identification and verification

One of the most significant barriers to digital transformation in healthcare is the challenge of secure and reliable identity verification. Accurately identifying patients in a digital environment is critical, yet current methods are often fragmented, inconsistent across countries, and not always user-friendly. Some require physical presence, others depend on complex processes such as PIN authentication, and national boundaries limit many. This lack of a seamless, universally accepted identification approach continues to slow patient onboarding and the rollout of digital services.

3. The impending "wallet dilemma"

The anticipated introduction of the European Digital Identity Wallet promises to address many of these issues by offering a standardized, secure way for citizens to verify their identity across borders. However, relying on this future solution presents its own risks. The rollout of digital wallets is still underway, with uncertainties around timelines and adoption rates. Even if implementation targets are met, widespread usage will take time to develop.

This creates what can be described as a "wallet dilemma." Healthcare providers face a difficult choice: wait for a promising but not yet fully realized solution or move forward with existing technologies that may not be future-proof. Delaying digitization is not a viable option. Outdated systems continue to burden healthcare professionals, increase inefficiencies, and risk driving the use of unapproved "shadow IT" solutions that pose serious data protection threats.

4. Inclusivity

Another critical concern is inclusivity. Not all patients will be willing or able to use digital identity wallets or other advanced identification methods. If healthcare systems rely too heavily on a single technology, they risk excluding vulnerable groups from accessing essential services. Ensuring that digital healthcare remains accessible to everyone requires offering multiple identification options that cater to different needs and preferences.

Conclusion

In summary, the eHealth sector is navigating a complex landscape defined by urgent operational pressures, high security requirements, and an evolving digital identity ecosystem. While future solutions like the European Digital Identity Wallet hold great promise, they are not a panacea. Healthcare providers must act now, leveraging existing technologies while remaining flexible enough to integrate future innovations.

Are you ready to take action?

At Swisscom, we want to help eHealth companies gain traction and create value by providing secure identification and verification services quickly. To that end, we are launching our Trust Start & Trust Pilot Program. This consecutive, modular approach starts with a one-day analysis workshop. If use cases are identified, we can continue building a proof of concept together, either as a 5-20 day sprint or a 25-day full PoC (Proof of Concept). Our goal is to deliver real value and guide customers toward generating revenue.

Want to dive deeper into healthcare-grade e-identification first? No problem, download our free whitepaper, highlighting our pragmatic approach to overcoming healthcare ID challenges, here.

Customer success stories

Customer success stories

4 Critical Challenges in Digitizing Healthcare Across Europe

1. Complexity and strict standards

2. Identification and verification

3. The impending "wallet dilemma"

4. Inclusivity

Conclusion

Are you ready to take action?

Headline 2

Verborgene Herausforderungen: Warum...

4 dringende Herausforderungen für...

Rezept für digitales Vertrauen:...

Das jüngste E-ID-Update in der...

Customer success stories

Customer success stories

4 Critical Challenges in Digitizing Healthcare Across Europe

1. Complexity and strict standards

2. Identification and verification

3. The impending "wallet dilemma"

4. Inclusivity

Conclusion

Are you ready to take action?

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Headline 2

Verborgene Herausforderungen: Warum...

4 dringende Herausforderungen für...

Rezept für digitales Vertrauen:...

Das jüngste E-ID-Update in der...