Analysis of the provision of medical care using telemedicine technologies at the endocrinology research centre

BACKGROUND: In the first months after the pandemic of the COVID-19, the provision of medical care through telemedicine technologies took a leading position, in particular regarding endocrine nosologies. Meanwhile, at present, comprehensive information on telecommunications interaction between doctors of various medical organizations of the regions of the Russian Federation and employees of federal centers is insufficient, which determines the relevance of studying this topic.

AIM: Analysis of the provision of medical care in remote interaction of medical workers using telemedicine technologies («doctor-doctor») between the Endocrinology Research Centre and the regions of the Russian Federation in 2019–2023.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, observational, single-sample study was conducted, including completed planned and urgent telemedicine consultations in the format of «doctor-doctor « in the fields of «endocrinology» and «pedia­tric endocrinology», conducted through a telemedicine system for remote consultations at federal and regional levels between 2019 and 2023. Data on the referral rate of medical personnel from the regions of the Russian Federation to the Endocrinology Research Centre for telemedicine consultations were analyzed, including annual dynamics of treatment, frequency of referrals from each region, nosological structure of referrals, and number of patients admitted to the center based on the results of these consultations. Analysis of interdepartmental cooperation between the Endocrinology Research Centre and other federal centers was also performed.

RESULTS: In the period from 2019–2023, 14,475 telemedicine consultations «doctor-doctor» were conducted. In 2019, medical workers from 78 regions of the Russian Federation applied to the Endocrinology Research Centre. By 2023, this figure has increased to 88 (including newly annexed territories). The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Tambov Region and Astrakhan Region were the leading regions in terms of the circulation of medicines at the Endocrinology Research Centre. In the nosological structure, the largest number of consultations in adult patients were conducted for acromegaly and primary hyperparathyroidism, in children for stunting and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In the period from 2019–2023, the Endocrinology Research Centre sent a total of 300 «outgoing» requests to 17 medical organizations.

CONCLUSION: Consulting with the use of telemedicine technologies has become a convenient and multifunctional way of providing medical care. Further analysis of the place of telemedicine in practical healthcare will expand its capabilities, including considering the introduction of financing by the territorial fund of compulsory medical insurance for this area of medical activity.

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