An epicrisis is a summary assessment of a patient's illness and treatment, written at the end of a hospital stay or a longer period of medical care.
What is behind the term?
The word comes from Greek and means something like "assessment of the end". In everyday medical practice, it refers to a written summary that contains important information about the diagnosis, the course of illness, the treatments carried out, and the patient's current state of health. The epicrisis is a standard part of every discharge letter written after an inpatient stay or a longer, more complex course of treatment.
Typically, the epicrisis appears at the end of a discharge letter, sometimes as its own section with this heading. It brings together the most important findings from the entire treatment period in a compact form.
What is an epicrisis for?
The main purpose of this summary is to give all follow-on doctors a quick overview. This way, a GP, specialist, or therapist can see at a glance what happened during the stay and what needs to be watched going forward. The epicrisis can also serve as evidence for insurers or authorities, for example when applying for rehabilitation measures or care services.
It also helps to avoid repeat tests and allows the next stage of treatment to be planned carefully. Especially when several specialities were involved, the epicrisis provides clarity and a clear picture of what took place.
What does an epicrisis contain?
An epicrisis usually covers the following points briefly and clearly: the patient's situation at the start of treatment, the most important findings and diagnoses, investigations and therapies carried out, how things progressed during the stay, and the patient's condition at discharge. Recommendations for further treatment or follow-up appointments are also part of this summary.
Sometimes the epicrisis includes notes on anything unusual, any complications, or specific risks that the next doctors should be aware of. The aim is always to bring together the most important information in a clear and easy-to-follow way.
Why it matters for what comes next
The epicrisis is written mainly for medical professionals, but it can also offer useful information for patients themselves. Anyone who reads their own discharge letter after a hospital stay will usually find the key points about their illness and current situation in the epicrisis.
It helps to make sense of test results and to understand why certain medicines should be continued or which follow-up appointments are recommended. Many uncertainties can be cleared up by reading the epicrisis carefully and asking the treating doctor if anything is unclear.
When is an epicrisis written?
An epicrisis is always part of the medical records when a longer period of treatment comes to an end, such as after a hospital stay, a rehabilitation programme, or a complex outpatient course of treatment. It forms the closing report and is essential for ensuring that ongoing care can continue smoothly.
An epicrisis is also written when a patient is transferred between different hospitals or departments, so that the new care team has all the important information to hand.
What to do if something is unclear
Medical terms or abbreviations in the epicrisis can look confusing at first glance. Anyone who does not understand certain sections should not hesitate to ask their GP or the treating team to explain. It is well worth asking for the key points to be explained, so that you can better understand your own situation.
The epicrisis is not a secret document. It is a tool that creates transparency and makes it easier for everyone involved to work together. Engaging openly with it helps to reduce uncertainty and to play an active part in looking after your own health.
