Telemedicine as a tool for improving the quality of specialized medical care in infectious diseases: a literature review
TL;DR
It has been proven that the effectiveness of telemedicine technologies is not inferior to traditional face-to-face interaction and it is essential to continue active efforts to expand the use of telemedicine technologies while minimizing potential risks.
Abstract
Telemedicine is a modern field that utilizes three types of technologies: medical, information, and telecommunications; The primary goal of telemedicine is to ensure equitable access to medical services in the required volume and in a timely manner, regardless of the patient’s or medical professional’s location, thereby improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare; The application of telemedicine technologies is regulated by the federal legal framework; A review of scientific literature has identified key advantages of telemedicine in infectiology: the ability to control infections in conditions of geographical remoteness and limited resources, prevention of infectious complications in patients of various profiles, expanded access to drug therapy, increased treatment adherence, and economic feasibility. It has been proven that the effectiveness of telemedicine technologies is not inferior to traditional face-to-face interaction. Potential risks include clinically significant errors in diagnosis and treatment, technological and infrastructural failures, information security issues, and legislative restrictions. It is essential to continue active efforts to expand the use of telemedicine technologies while minimizing potential risks.