Global Telemedicine Implementation and Integration Within Health Systems to Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call to Action

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic, with over 720,000 cases reported in more than 203 countries as of 31 March. The response strategy included early diagnosis, patient isolation, symptomatic monitoring of contacts as well as suspected and confirmed cases, and public health quarantine. In this context, telemedicine, particularly video consultations, has been promoted and scaled up to reduce the risk of transmission, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Based on a literature review, the first conceptual framework for telemedicine implementation during outbreaks was published in 2015. An updated framework for telemedicine in the COVID-19 pandemic has been defined. This framework could be applied at a large scale to improve the national public health response. Most countries, however, lack a regulatory framework to authorize, integrate, and reimburse telemedicine services, including in emergency and outbreak situations. In this context, Italy does not include telemedicine in the essential levels of care granted to all citizens within the National Health Service, while France authorized, reimbursed, and actively promoted the use of telemedicine. Several challenges remain for the global use and integration of telemedicine into the public health response to COVID-19 and future outbreaks. All stakeholders are encouraged to address the challenges and collaborate to promote the safe and evidence-based use of telemedicine during the current pandemic and future outbreaks. For countries without integrated telemedicine in their national health care system, the COVID-19 pandemic is a call to adopt the necessary regulatory frameworks for supporting wide adoption of telemedicine.

How the COVID-19 pandemic is favoring the adoption of digital technologies in healthcare: a rapid literature review

“…Lastly, in order to describe and assess the impact of digital tools during outbreaks, scientific evaluation frameworks should be defined. [36] This literature review presents some limitations. First, the research was conducted in a period of epidemiological emergency.…”

¿Va a cambiar la neurología tras la pandemia de COVID-19 en los próximos 5 años? Estudio de enfoque mediante informadores clave

“…En general, el estudio muestra que la opinión de los encuestados prevé pocos cambios en el futuro a medio plazo, estos serán más en los hábitos de prevención y en la circulación de personas, reduciéndose la presencia numerosa en salas de esperas, sesiones docentes o pases de visita. Existe un convencimiento mayoritario que la pandemia conllevará a un mayor uso de los recursos de telemedicina (23,24,25,26,27) y la virtualización de la docencia. También existe consenso en que deberá haber una reorganización de los tiempos de asistencia y búsqueda de métodos alternativos para evitar la presencia excesiva de enfermos y especialmente los neurológicos, ya que son especialmente vulnerables.…”

Perspective on COVID-19: Finally, Telemedicine at Center Stage

“…In addition, the entire perioperative care process can be done virtually; we agree that there is really little or no benefit to a physical visit, 12 particularly during crisis like this one, and other public health emergencies and disasters, which highlights the need for further application and integration of telemedicine. 13…”