Digitalization in pneumology

Digitalization will change medicine as a whole and pneumology in particular; however, digitalization should not be an end in itself and also digitalization should not and cannot replace the human component in medicine; however, patients are informing themselves about health topics on the internet, measuring their vital signs in their home environment or already coming up with a diagnosis "made by Dr. Google. " Physicians therefore increasingly have an advisory function, which is one of the most important aspects of human and empathic medicine. In this sense, physicians should therefore also proactively shape the digital transformation of medicine. True to this year's congress motto, in our article we look into the recent past, take up current developments and also have a look into the future of a digital and empathic pneumology.