The potential role of telemedicine in the infectious disease pandemic with an emphasis on COVID‐19: A narrative review

Abstract

Background and Aims Due of its low cost, rapid speed, data record, and vast communication coverage, information and communication technology might be useful for health‐related fields in times of crisis. By providing medical or hygienic services to a patient who lives elsewhere using communication methods like email, fax, cellphones, applications, and wireless gadgets, telemedicine can aid in the better management of diseases. Reviewing the potential role of telemedicine in the pandemic of infectious diseases with a focus on the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic was the main goal of this study. Methods “Google Scholar,” “PubMed,” “Science Direct,” and “Scopus” databases were searched to collect the papers that identify the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine in the disease pandemic. Searched keywords include: telepharmacy, telemedicine, remote communication, pandemic(s), epidemic, distant care, distant communication, phone consulation, video conference communication and patient education. Results Information and communication technology are crucial, especially when dealing with pandemics of infectious diseases like COVID‐19. Less “in‐person” patient visits to hospitals as a result of telemedicine eventually means less labor for the medical staff, less viral exposure for patients, and ultimately less disease spread. By establishing a bidirectional reciprocal relationship between patients and healthcare providers although they are in separate geographical areas, it can improve patient health status. Conclusion Governments are currently facing a significant budgetary burden because to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Since patients are not sent to medical facilities in person, which could be a source of infection, telemedicine reduces disease spread while saving money.

SOWANS E-TB Application Innovation on Quality of Life and Medication Compliance in MDR-TB Patients

“…This may occur due to a lack of timely compliance data, and due to failure to change management after discovery of non-compliance at monthly reviews (Khan et al, 2022). Rather than performing monthly adherence assessments (Shokri et al, 2023), more frequent review of adherence data by healthcare personnel and initiation of intensive management to assist patients who have adherence problems may be necessary to reduce loss to follow-up (Bashshur et al, 2019).…”

“…Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is defined as MDR-TB plus resistance to at least one drug in both of the most important drug classes in MDR-TB regimens fluoroquinolones and second-line injectable agents (amikacin, capreomycin or kanamycin) (Shokri et al, 2023). The diagnosis of Drug-Resistant TB is confirmed based on the M, tuberculosis susceptibility test using either conventional methods using solid media or liquid media, or using rapid test methods with GeneXpert or with LPA Central Sulawesi Province had a Case Detection Rate (CDR) for TB in 2018 of 417/100,000 people suffering from TB of all types.…”

The Impact of Telemedicine on Healthcare Delivery during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: Opportunities, Innovations, Challenges, and Policy Implications

“…These technological advances allowed healthcare providers to deliver care remotely with a new ease and efficiency, by which the geographical barriers were overcomed and the access to underserved populations was expanded [6]. Telemedicine was widely adopted which enabled patients to communicate with their healthcare providers from their homes, hence, reducing patients' risk of getting infected [7].On the other hand, telemedicine has provided an important contribution especially to chronic disease management as well as specialized services including psychotherapy and remote monitoring [8]. Through digital tools and remote monitoring devices, healthcare providers can track patients' vital signs, medication adherence, and disease progression in the real time which gives possibility for timely interventions and personalized treatment plans [8].…”