Telemedicine in Assistance to Healthcare in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kilova, K.; Uzunova, S.

doi:10.2478/amb-2020-0048

Abstract

Global pandemics pose unprecedented challenges to healthcare. In the current situation, telemedicine appears to be a sustainable and effective solution in the implementation of precautions, prevention and treatment in order to discontinue the spreading of the coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The aim of this paper was to research and analyze the role of telemedicine in assistance to healthcare in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The PubMed Database, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect (Elsevier) and sites of public authorities have been accessed and reviewed.

Results: Advantages, restrictions, policy and application of telemedicine in the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic have been studied and analyzed.

Conclusion: Healthcare systems are put under an extreme test during global pandemics. Telemedicine is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic because it guarantees that patients have access to medical care.

References

1. WHO. Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Available from: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
2. Pronovost PJ, Angus DC, Dorman T, et al. Physician staing patterns and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: a systematic review. JAMA, 2002, 288(17), 2151-2162.10.1001/jama.288.17.215112413375
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
3. Latifi R, Merrell RC, Doarn CR, et al. „Initiate-build-operate-transfer“– a strategy for establishing sustainable telemedicine programs in developing countries: initial lessons from the Balkans. Telemedicine and e-Health, 2009, 15(14), 956-969.10.1089/tmj.2009.008419832055
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
4. Martínez A, Villarroel V, Seoane J, et al. Analysis of information and communication needs in rural primary health care in developing countries. IEEE Transactions on Information Technology in Biomedicine, 2005, 9(1), 66-72.10.1109/TITB.2004.842411
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
5. Pradhan MR. ICTs application for better health in Nepal. Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 2004, 2(2), 157-163.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
6. Wootton R. Telemedicine support for the developing world. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2008, 14(3), 109-114.10.1258/jtt.2008.00300118430271
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
7. Kaplan WA. Can the ubiquitous power of mobile phones be used to improve health outcomes in developing countries? Globalization and Health, 2006, 23(2), 9.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
8. Rockwell KR, Gilroy AS. Incorporating Telemedicine as Part of COVID-19 Outbreak Response Systems. The American Journal of Managed Care, 2020 March 19. Available from: https://www.ajmc.com/journals/issue/2020/2020-vol26-n4/incorporating-telemedicine-as-part-of-covid19-outbreak-response-systems10.37765/ajmc.2020.4278432270980
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
9. Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriation Act of 2020, HR 6074, 116th Cong, 2nd Sess, 2020.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
10. Coding for Phone Calls, Internet and Telehealth Consultations. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 2020 May 5. Available from: https://www.aao.org/practice-management/news-detail/coding-phone-calls-internet-telehealth-consult.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
11. TMB responding to Gov. Abbott’s state disaster declaration [news release]. Austin, TX: Texas Medical Board; 2020 March 14. Available from: tmb.state.tx.us/dl/920E0677-1BAF-C306-781B-A570AD6795A1.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
12. Moga-Paler M, Surugiu A, Sirakova I, et al. European Union: e-Healthcare and Telehealth Become Vital to Tackling COVID-19 in CEE. Schoenherr Attorneys at Law. 2020 March 25. Available from: https://www.mondaq.com/Austria/Food-Drugs-Healthcare-Life-Sciences/907550/EHealthcare-And-Telehealth-Become-Vital-To-Tackling-COVID-19-In-CEE.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
13. Telemedicine services multiply in Romania amid Covid-19. 2020 April 13. Available from: https://www.romania-insider.com/telemedicine-services-ro-apr-2020.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
14. Ordinance №3 of 6. Oct. 2017 for approval of the Medical Standard “Emergency Medicine”, section 3, item 5 Available from: https://www.mh.government.bg/media/filer_public/2018/04/10/naredba_3_ot_6102017_g_za_utvyrjdavane_na_medicinski_standart_spesna_medicina.pdf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
15. Ordinance №16 of 30 July 2014 on the terms and conditions for registration of rare diseases and on the expert centers and reference networks for rare diseases, Article 23, paragraph (2) Available from: http://ncpha.government.bg/files/komisia_rare_diseases/Naredba_16_MH.pdf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
16. Telemedicine. Tools for Diagnostics, Triage. Available from: https://www.digital.health/covid-19.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
17. Tyto Care. Available from: https://www.tytocare.com/cmp/covid-19/#form_section.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
18. Siwicki B. Telemedicine during COVID-19: Benefits, limitations, burdens, adaptation. HealthcareITNews, 2020 March 19 Available from: https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/telemedicine-during-covid-19-benefits-limitations-burdens-adaptation.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
19. mHealth solutions for managing the COVID-19 outbreak. Available from: http://mhealth-hub.org/mhealth-solutions-against-covid-19.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
20. Brodwin E. Telehealth can help fight the novel coronavirus, but U.S. challenges could limit its potential. Statnews, 2020 February 28. Available from: https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/28/coronavirus-telehealth-digital-health-us-hospitals-companies-face-challenges/.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
21. Muoio D. Apple‘s Siri now walks worried users through their COVID-19 symptoms. Mobihealth news, 2020 March 24. Available from: https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/apples-siri-now-walks-worried-users-through-their-covid-19-symptoms.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
22. Lovett L. AMA launches Telemedicine Quick Reference Guide to help docs implement tech during COVID-19. Mobihealth news, 2020 March 25, Available from: https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/ama-launches-telemedicine-quick-reference-guide-help-docs-implement-tech-during-covid-19?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
23. Using Telehealth to Care for Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Academy of Family Physicians. 2020 May 9. Available from: https://www.aafp.org/patient-care/emergency/2019-coronavirus/telehealth.html.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
24. O‘Neill PH. Apple and Google are building coronavirus tracking into iOS and Android. MIT Technology Review, 2020 April 10. Available from: https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/04/10/999213/apple-and-google-are-building-coronavirus-tracking-into-ios-and-android/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
25. The European Commission: Startups With Solutions To Tackle The COVID-19 Outbreak Should Apply For EIC Funding Before Wednesday. Trending Topics, 2020 March 16. Available from: https://www.trendingtopics.at/bulgaria/the-european-commission-startups-with-solutions-to-tackle-the-covid-19-outbreak-should-apply-for-eic-funding-before-wednesday/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Telemedicine in Assistance to Healthcare in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Paradigm

My account