Telemedicine around the GlobeIFA, Prague 31.5.12Andy Fischer, President

April 20, 2023

The International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth

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ISfTeH Mission Statement

“ISfTeH exists to facilitate the internationaldissemination of knowledge and experience in

Telemedicine and eHealth and to provide accessto recognized experts in the field worldwide”

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ISfTeH has Members from more than 70 Countries(November 2011)

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» Non governmental and non for profit society with close relationship to WHO» Primarily an umbrella for national Telemedicine and eHealth organizations

Main Activities

» Promoting & Supporting Telemedicine/eHealth activities around the globe» Ambassadors Program

» Networking & Scientific Platform» Annual International Event

» Incubating and Assisting the start-up of new national organizations » Supporting member countries in the field of Telemedicine and e-Health

» Strategy and Policies» Regulations & Standards» Businessmodel & Reimbursement» Education & Training

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International Relations

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What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine describes the interaction» between patient and health care provider (teleconsultation)» or between health care providers (telecounselling)

as a form of medical treatment where the participants are not in direct physical contact with each other

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Or shorter….

...medicine on a distance

There are multiple Forms of Telemedicine

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Structure & Forms of Telecounselling

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Components Contents

Communication channels Telephone (realtime, audio)

Internet (store & forward, data)

Video (realtime, audio & video)

Telediagnostics Telemonitoring (BP, sugar level, saturation, etc.)Digital Imaging (xRay, Ultrasound, MRI, photos, etc.)Lab Results

Teletherapy none

Examples of Services » Second Opinion Services between specialist and healthcare provider such as Teleradiology, Teledermatology, Teleopthalmology, Telepathology, etc.

Structure & Forms of Teleconsultations

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Components Contents

Communication channels Telephone (realtime, audio)

Internet (store & forward, data)

Video (realtime, audio & video)

Telediagnostics Bedside Telemonitoring (BP, sugar level, saturation, etc.)Bedside Image (digital photos)

Teletherapy Prescription of medicationRobotic Interventions

Examples of Services » Medical Call Center (doctor or nurse)» Internet Advice by a local doctor direct to patient» Robotic Surgery» etc.

Worldwide Telemedical Activity and clusters…

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…but more Initiatives for Telecounselling than for Teleconsultations

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77%

23%

Teleconsultation

Telecounselling

Source: Swiss Center for Telemedicine Telemedical Activity Analysis 2011

Remarkable Results for Telemedicine

» Cost Reduction

» High Patient Satisfaction

» Equal Quality, Safety and Outcome than f2f consultations

» Improved Access to Care

Challanges & Barriers for Telemedicine

» Missing Regulations & Legal Limitations

» Cultural or political Resistance (e.g. doctors fight against telemedicine…)

» “Digital Devide” (limited access to technology or missing skills)

» Missing Businesscase or Funding

» “Pilotitis”

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The 6 Success Factors for Telemedicine

1. Focus on local needs & process

2. Political and social acceptance

3. No legal constraints

4. Embedded in existing healthcare structure

5. Top medical quality and outstanding technology

6. Sustainable business model

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The world has many far-flung places…

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