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Journal article : Review

The worldwide impact of telemedicine during COVID-19: current evidence and recommendations for the future

Abstract:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has emerged worldwide as an indispensable resource to improve the surveillance of patients, curb the spread of disease, facilitate timely identification and management of ill people, but, most importantly, guarantee the continuity of care of frail patients with multiple chronic diseases. Although during COVID-19 telemedicine has thrived, and its adoption has moved forward in many countries, important gaps still remain. Major issues to be addressed to enable large scale implementation of telemedicine include: (1) establishing adequate policies to legislate telemedicine, license healthcare operators, protect patients’ privacy, and implement reimbursement plans; (2) creating and disseminating practical guidelines for the routine clinical use of telemedicine in different contexts; (3) increasing in the level of integration of telemedicine with traditional healthcare services; (4) improving healthcare professionals’ and patients’ awareness of and willingness to use telemedicine; and (5) overcoming inequalities among countries and population subgroups due to technological, infrastructural, and economic barriers. If all these requirements are met in the near future, remote management of patients will become an indispensable resource for the healthcare systems worldwide and will ultimately improve the management of patients and the quality of care.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.20517/ch.2021.03

Authors



Publisher:
OAE Publishing Inc
Journal:
Connected Health More from this journal
Volume:
1
Issue:
1
Pages:
7-35
Publication date:
2022-01-04
Acceptance date:
2021-12-15
DOI:
EISSN:
2770-6249
Pmid:
35233563


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subtype:
Review
Pubs id:
1242314
Local pid:
pubs:1242314
Deposit date:
2022-03-22

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