Telemedicine: сhallenges and opportunities for global healthcare

Telemedicine is rapidly gaining ground in healthcare systems around the world. However, without timely changes in legislation, millions of patients may lose access to this important service. Experts warn that the gains made during the COVID-19 pandemic may be at risk if temporary rules are not made permanent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has demonstrated its enormous potential, and even after the situation has stabilized, demand for it remains high. Patients and doctors worldwide advocate for telemedicine to remain an important part of the future healthcare system. But the question arises: how can we best balance remote and face-to-face care to increase accessibility, ensure quality, and avoid uncontrolled cost growth?

Global healthcare systems are facing an important challenge in finding a balance between the convenience of telemedicine and the potential additional costs. Studies have shown that in healthcare systems that actively implemented telemedicine during the pandemic, the number of patient visits increased slightly, but the number of visits to emergency departments decreased significantly. This shows that telemedicine can effectively help manage chronic diseases and reduce the burden on emergency medicine.

These results confirm the need for long-term inclusion of telemedicine in strategies to improve the quality of care and increase the efficiency of healthcare systems.

One of the main challenges for the development of telemedicine is the cross-border provision of medical care. In many countries, doctors are required to be licensed to practice in the same region as the patient, which creates difficulties for patients traveling or living abroad. Experts emphasize the need to update outdated rules to facilitate access to cross-border telemedicine, especially for those who already have established relationships with their doctors.

Sometimes absurd situations arise when patients have to travel long distances or cross borders just to get a consultation via video. New rules could greatly simplify this process, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce unnecessary stress for both patients and doctors.

Telemedicine is not limited to video consultations. Modern technologies, such as remote monitoring and digital platforms, are changing the way we think about medical care. Health tracking devices, such as glucose monitors or heart rate monitors, can transmit data in real-time, allowing doctors to respond quickly to changes in patient's conditions.

Healthcare systems need to adapt to these technological changes by creating clear and up-to-date regulations for the effective use of these new treatments. It is also important to develop a fair payment system for digital health services, including remote consultations and monitoring.

Telemedicine has a huge potential to change healthcare systems around the world. It makes healthcare services more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered. However, this potential can only be fully realized with the active support of lawmakers who must adapt regulations to new technologies and the needs of modern society.

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Take care of yourself and your health regardless of your location!