COVID-19 Pandemic: The Critical Role of Telehealth Applications

halksagligi-10-1-2024-kapak

Dilek YAPARa,b, Hacer DEMİRKÖSEc

aMuratpaşa District Health Directorate, Antalya, Türkiye
bAkdeniz University Institute of Health Science, Department of Medical Informatics, Antalya, Türkiye
cRepublic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Early Warning, Ankara, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Telehealth refers to the delivery of health services, such as diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, using technologies like wireless and mobile connections when the patient and healthcare professional are not co-located. Essentially, it bridges the gap in patient-doctor communication by allowing the transfer of medical or social data across distant locations. This study aimed to examine the pivotal role of telehealth in the healthcare sector, using the example of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, psychologists, dietitians, midwives, and nurses, leveraged it to offer remote medical care, preventive health services, and more. The scope of telehealth services spans reviewing medication histories, medical education, health preservation practices, treatment management, remote medication reviews, psychotherapy, and even patient consultations via video calls. Telehealth faces challenges beyond visible technological limitations such as failed or interrupted connections, poor video and audio quality, or lack of technological equipment. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the widespread adoption and success of telehealth in the future.
Keywords: COVID-19; health services; telemedicine

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