Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen
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The digitalization process is currently on everyone's lips and sweeping changes in the field of public health and especially in surgery are to be expected within the next few years. Besides general issues, such as electronic health records and medical information systems, artificial intelligence, robotics and model-based surgery will decisively impact on the daily routine. In order to provide the necessary knowledge base, to point out related risks and chances and also to define fields of action for surgery, the German Society of Surgery commissioned a position paper on digitalization. A first appraisal in form of an online survey is the subject of this article. ⋯ According to the views of interviewed members of the German Society of Surgery the process of digital transformation will significantly impact the field of surgery. All those involved should feel responsible to contribute to and guide this process in order to maintain the surgically inherent requirements and to protect patient safety. The position paper on digitalization can serve as a basis and should define concrete recommendations for action. In the sense of an academic approach the new possibilities should be critically evaluated with respect to suitability and should be exclusively confined to applications that are beneficial to ourselves and to our patients.