Telemedicine – direction of the future

Meeting with an online doctor in a video chat, prescription on a smartphone and e-dismissal – telemedicine enters the lives of patients and doctors. There are many benefits to using digitization in healthcare. First of all, it’s increasing the availability of healthcare services.
Let’s imagine that the patient is doing blood tests. The results are sent online to the doctor and the patient. Both sides meet in the video chat. After analyzing the results, the online doctor decides about the treatment. Issue an e-prescription and e-release. The patient does not have to travel to the doctor’s office or to the employer to report the dismissal.

Dream? Whence. Telemedicine is rapidly entering our healthcare system. As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), telemedicine uses technologies “to exchange relevant information for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, research, consultation, and medical knowledge to improve patient health.”

E-releases, e-prescription, e-referral

By 2022, it is expected that medicine will be fully predictable, preventive, personalized and participatory (P4 Medicine) . At the same time, it is emphasized that the dynamic increase in technology-based care requires the healthcare sector to redefine the roles and responsibilities of employees and to adapt to the new way of working.

The Ministry of Health is also intensifying work on the digitization of the healthcare system. Already at the beginning of December 2018, it was compulsory for doctors to issue electronic sick leave (e-ZLA). On January 1, 2019, electronic prescriptions appeared in pharmacies. In turn, from January 8, 2020, the obligation to issue prescriptions in electronic form entered into force. 

According to the Ministry of Health, since May 2018, when it began working on implementing digital services, over 63 million e-prescriptions have been issued. In addition, over 60,000 were carried out. training for doctors and pharmacists. The next step is e-referrals. In 2022 Electronic Medical Documentation is to be introduced throughout the country.

This is a breakthrough step because 74% of patients declare that they provide the same health care professionals with the same information. What’s more, 60 percent of respondents repeatedly perform the same tests. Ultimately, doctors will be paid not for the number of visits or tests carried out (so-called service charge), but for value-based care. First of all, efficiency and effectiveness will be valued, “

Digitization means more time for patients

Both online doctors and patients are beginning to appreciate the convenience of digitization in medical services. Receiving results to the e-mail address provided, telephone consultation with a doctor or no need to provide dismissal to the employer personally – these are convenient solutions. In addition, the less bureaucracy the more time for the patient. Telemedicine is the key.
The demand for health services will be increasing. The average life expectancy in OECD countries is over 80 years and is constantly increasing. However, the number of people suffering from chronic diseases increases with it… Medical e-visits, e-prescriptions and health monitoring via mobile devices will become more and more popular. Telemedicine is becoming fashionable.

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