Medical service demands of older patients in different age groups in a new model of free Telemedicine

Abstract

Background Medical service for the older patients is a worldwide challenge for public health system. Telemedicine can provide convenient and effective medical service for older patients. But the existing telemedicine models rely upon a direct communication between a doctor and a patient via the Internet but the doctor would be unable to give the patient a direct physical examination, it may lead to diagnostic errors. A new model of telemedicine jointly performed by general practitioners in community health centers and specialists in a university teaching hospital has been established. It is supervised by the government health department and is free for older patients. However, medical service demands of older patients in different age groups applying the new telemedicine are not well characterized. This study is to analyze medical service demands of older patients in different age groups applying the new telemedicine. Methods 472 older patients (aged ≥ 60) were enrolled and were divided into the young older group (aged 60 to 74), the old older group (aged 75 to 89) and the very old group (aged ≥ 90) according to the age stratification for older people defined by World Health Organization. Proportion of the top 10 diseases of older patients of different age groups was analyzed. Results Coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified as the top two diseases in the older patients and the young older patients as well as the old older patients applying the new telemedicine. Conclusions The new telemedicine model can provide effective free medical services to older patients. Different medical service demands were identified in different age groups of older patients. Coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus were the main diseases of the older patients and young older patients as well as the old older patients applying the new telemedicine. Results of this study will provide basis for the health administrative departments to formulate health policies for older patients. Familiar with the main diseases in different age groups of older patients may provide better medical services to older patients.