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Telemedicine in the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review Based on Current Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Giulio Nittari

    (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Products, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy)

  • Demetris Savva

    (Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia-Limassol Old Road 215, Nicosia 2029, Cyprus)

  • Daniele Tomassoni

    (School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy)

  • Seyed Khosrow Tayebati

    (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Products, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy)

  • Francesco Amenta

    (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Products, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy
    Research Department, International Radio Medical Centre (C.I.R.M.), Via dell’Architettura 41, 00144 Rome, RM, Italy)

Abstract

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers have been encouraged to increase their use of telemedicine and to adopt telemedicine platforms for the majority of their clients who have chronic illnesses. Due to the outbreak itself, almost all countries worldwide were placed under emergency lockdowns. In this paper, we reviewed the literature regarding the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequentially, we identified the adoption of telemedicine in various countries worldwide and evaluated their future steps in order to increase the adoption of e-health technologies. As a result of COVID-19, the e-health agenda, especially telemedicine, has been accelerated in several countries. COVID-19 is affecting individuals’ daily lives and has created major difficulties in the management of healthcare facilities for both infected and non-infected patients. A large portion of the rapid increase in the use of telemedicine can be attributed to evidence from previous pandemics as well as progress made by the field in response to COVID-19, especially in industrialized countries. A lack of effective treatment, large numbers of unvaccinated individuals, as well as social distancing and lockdown measures suggest telemedicine is the safest and most appropriate way of working with patients and doctors. In spite of this willingness, a large number of barriers need to be overcome in order for the telemedicine system to function properly and effectively throughout countries. In order for telemedicine to be sustainable and beneficial beyond the pandemic, several technical, educational, infrastructure, legal, and economic issues must be addressed and solved.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulio Nittari & Demetris Savva & Daniele Tomassoni & Seyed Khosrow Tayebati & Francesco Amenta, 2022. "Telemedicine in the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review Based on Current Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5101-:d:799537
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matias Busso & Maria P. Gonzalez & Carlos Scartascini, 2022. "On the demand for telemedicine: Evidence from the COVID‐19 pandemic," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(7), pages 1491-1505, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Walter H. Curioso & Lelis G. Coronel-Chucos & Milagro Henríquez-Suarez, 2023. "Integrating Telehealth for Strengthening Health Systems in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Perspective from Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Katarzyna Weronika Binder-Olibrowska & Magdalena Agnieszka Wrzesińska & Maciek Godycki-Ćwirko, 2022. "Is Telemedicine in Primary Care a Good Option for Polish Patients with Visual Impairments Outside of a Pandemic?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Jakub Marek Ratajczak & Anna Gawrońska & Margaret Fischer & Taras Hladun & Michał Marczak, 2022. "Can We Identify Patients in Danger of Delayed Treatment? Management of COVID-19 Pandemic Backlog in Urology Care in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Sabrina Haroon & Teck Chuan Voo & Hillary Chua & Gan Liang Tan & Titus Lau, 2022. "Telemedicine and Haemodialysis Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review of Patient Safety, Healthcare Quality, Ethics and the Legal Considerations in Singapore Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Gabriella Piscopo & Simona Mormile & Paola Adinolfi & Andrzej Piotrowski, 2023. "Digital Health, Telemedicine, and Patient-centeredness: New Trends for Italian Healthcare after COVID-19," MECOSAN, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(125), pages 29-46.
    6. Stefania Scuri & Marina Tesauro & Fabio Petrelli & Ninfa Argento & Genny Damasco & Giovanni Cangelosi & Cuc Thi Thu Nguyen & Demetris Savva & Iolanda Grappasonni, 2022. "Use of an Online Platform to Evaluate the Impact of Social Distancing Measures on Psycho-Physical Well-Being in the COVID-19 Era," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-10, June.
    7. Alina Filip & Alin Stancu & Mihai Mehedințu & Adrian Streinu-Cercel & Alexandrina Maria Pauceanu, 2022. "Particularities of Telework Applicable to the Health System in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.

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