Telemedicine as a socio-medical process. Experiences from remote monitoring of long-COVID patients in Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/emet.2021.65.78Keywords:
telemedicine, m-health, e-health, COVID-19, long-COVIDAbstract
Aim. Long-COVID syndrome is still under broad investigation. It is known, however, that the consequences of COVID-19 disease can permanently affect the health and quality of life of patients in many respects. For this reason, monitoring parameters in patients who are still experiencing symptoms is an extremely serious task for medicine. It is possible with the use of telehealth paradigm, which helps to provide long-term care. The use of wearable medical devices that record certain vital parameters (e.g., Aidmed) can ensure that the patient is under constant surveillance after an infection. For this reason, the development and introduction of nationwide telemonitoring and telerehabilitation programs for the long-COVID patients seems to be a key solution.
Methods. The main goal of this analysis, which involved 373 patients, is to present practical experiences and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the use of remote diagnostic tools in patients with long-COVID syndrome. The analysis based on a multicentre study in Poland focuses on the technological and social aspects of Aidmed telehealth system. The results were obtained on the basis of the deliberative reflection method, conducted by a multidisciplinary team: 2 medical sociologists, 1 epidemiologist, 2 biomedical students (secretary roles in the projects), 2 computer scientists and 2 medical doctors.
Results. The analysis showed that the use of telemedicine tools is quicker and allows to obtain more accurate diagnostic data (strengths). It is also inclusive and educational in relation to the excluded groups of patients (opportunities). However, it may lead to limitation of contacts between the doctor and the patient (threats) and limited access due to high costs and time investments (weaknesses).
Conclusions. Remote home monitoring and telerehabilitation of patients with long-COVID syndrome has the potential to reduce the burden of disease and prevent overloading of the healthcare system. Therefore, it should be widely used. However, we need to learn how to implement it correctly. Our recommendations are: 1) technology should be inclusive in both e-literacy and health literacy; 2) solutions must be as simple as possible for an end user; 3) the entire process requires efficient logistics facilities.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Stanisław Maksymowicz, Andrzej Jarynowski, Łukasz Czekaj, Szymon Gęsicki, Anna Romaszko–Wojtowicz, Monika Wójta-Kempa, Doboszyńska Anna
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