Position statement of the Czech Society of Rheumatology on remote care and telemedicine
Authors:
Z. Dvořák 1; M. Filková 2; H. Šmucrová 2; L. Šenolt 2; Kolektiv Výboru Črs: Horák P. 3; K. Pavelka 2; H. Mann 2; D. Tegzová 2; M. Olejárová 2; L. Bortlík 4; T. Zitko 5; E. Dokoupilová 6; P. Doležalová 7; S. Macháček 8; M. Tomčík 2; Zb. Hrnčíř 9; J. Vencovský 2
Authors‘ workplace:
Revmatologické oddělení EUC Klinika a. s. Nové Město na Moravě
1; Revmatologický ústav Praha a Revmatologická klinika 1. LF UK, Praha
2; III. Interní klinika – nefrologická, revmatologická a endokrinologická UP a FN, Olomouc
3; BORMED, s. r. o., Ostrava
4; ARTMEDI UPD, Hostivice
5; MEDICAL PLUS, s. r. o, Uherské Hradiště
6; KDDL, IVFN a 1. LF UK, Praha
7; Revmatologie, Praha
8; II. interní gastroenterologická klinika FN a LF UK, Hradec Králové
9
Published in:
Čes. Revmatol., 32, 2024, No. 4, p. 132-139.
Category:
Recomendation
Overview
Telemedicine involves the remote transmission of medical information between a patient and a physician using telecommunication and information technologies. Through bidirectional video, emails, smartphones, and other wireless communication tools, a patient’s health status is assessed, and remote healthcare is provided. Telemedicine and remote care expand access to necessary medical services, which proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a rapid development of telemedicine and remote care, as traditional in-person care was significantly limited. The Czech Society of Rheumatology has decided to issue its own position statement on remote care and telemedicine in rheumatology, considering the standpoint of international organizations while also reflecting the specific situation in the Czech Republic. The Czech Society of Rheumatology views telemedicine and remote care as a suitable complement to face-to-face care, particularly for patients in a stable medical condition or for monitoring the safety of new treatments. Telemedicine can enhance the efficiency of triage, thereby expediting diagnosis. Additionally, it may help improve the accessibility and quality of rheumatologic care. However, the Czech Society of Rheumatology acknowledges that remote care imposes greater demands on providers’ technical equipment and expertise. Therefore, it advocates for the implementation of adequately reimbursed billing codes for remote consultations.
Keywords:
triage – Telemedicine – distance care – face-to-face care – Czech Society of Rheumatology
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Labels
Dermatology & STDs Paediatric rheumatology RheumatologyArticle was published in
Czech Rheumatology
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