Role of telemedicine in cancer service Republic of Bashkortostan

Abstract

Introduction. The topic of telemedicine in Russia is now extremely relevant in connection with the current coronavirus infection in the pandemic. Diagnostics and prevention of the spread of epidemics, as well as remote treatment of patients, is currently the main task of the telemedicine section of the provision of cancer care in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The spread of the coronavirus infection COVID-19 has become a new challenge and a powerful impetus for the rapid development of telemedicine technologies (TMT) in the Republic. Materials and methods. The article describes in detail the algorithm for conducting telemedicine consultations (TMC) at the level doctor-doctor in the profile oncology upon requests from medical organizations of levels 1, 2, 3 received through the Republican Medical Information and Analytical System of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Results. The results of the work of the Republican clinical oncological dispensary (RСOD) telemedicine service for 2020 are presented. RСOD consultants conducted 32,295 telemedicine consultations on the oncology profile directed by medical organizations of the 2nd and 3rd levels of the Republic of Bashkortostan. With the introduction of TMK into the oncological service of the Republic of Bashkortostan, there was a natural shortening of the examination time for cancer patients. The remote appointment of the necessary examinations one day prior to a full-time visit to a specialized RKOD specialist made it possible to shorten the time frame from the time of establishing an oncological diagnosis to the oncological consultation and the beginning of specialized treatment. Conclusions. The widespread introduction of telemedicine in the work of the oncological service of the Republic of Bashkortostan may turn out to be a powerful tool for providing quality care while maintaining patient safety in a pandemic. The impact of the pandemic could turn teleoncology into the main practice of providing outpatient medical care for cancer patients.