The digital transformation of healthcare has become one of the key development priorities of modern healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this process by increasing the importance of digital health services. The aim of this master's thesis was to analyze the use of the zVEM patient portal during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate its contribution to the digital transformation of the Slovenian healthcare system. The research is based on a review of Slovenian and international scientific literature, an analysis of official statistical data provided by the National Institute of Public Health, the Ministry of Health, the OECD and the European Commission, as well as a comparison of the Slovenian eHealth system with European digital health indicators. Qualitative research approach was applied. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the use of the zVEM portal and accelerated the development of digital health services. The most frequently used functionalities were ePrescription, eAppointment, and access to electronic health records. The analysis also showed that the use of these key services remained high after the pandemic, indicating that digital health solutions have become an integral part of the Slovenian healthcare system. A comparison with European indicators demonstrated that Slovenia follows European trends in the development of key eHealth services. The study contributes to a better understanding of the development of the zVEM portal and its role in the digital transformation of Slovenian healthcare. Its findings provide a useful basis for the further development of digital health services and future strategic planning. A limitation of the study is the limited availability of historical statistical data from the period before the redesign of the zVEM portal. Future research should therefore focus on user experience and the perspectives of healthcare professionals.
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