Introduction: Field hospitals (FHs) play a crucial role in providing medical care during various crises, including natural disasters, pandemics, and conflicts. While the traditional model of FH has been in use for many years and has contributed substantially to medical care delivery, limitations, including resources, manpower, and access to specialized medical expertise, exist in this model. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising solution to this challenge. Methods: The methodology involved collecting data on-site at the Sheba FH in Ukraine through direct observation of patient care. This data was compiled into a database containing patient information, conditions treated, and the type of care provided. To evaluate the suitability of telemedicine in different contexts, a conceptual model was created based on the empirical experience of content experts and a literature review. Results: Of the 6,161 patients who received care at the FH, 103 consultations were conducted through telemedicine. The majority of these consultations involved the treatment of chronic diseases, with dermatology (22), radiology (20), oncology (8), and neurology (10) being the most common areas. Additionally, there were seven surgical consultations and six pediatric consultations. The conceptual framework developed suggests that in most scenarios, particularly slow-onset disasters and within 72 hours of a sudden-onset disaster, trauma complications tend to decrease significantly. Conversely, there is an increase in non-trauma emergencies, indirectly caused by infectious diseases, and accumulated elective care needs, where the use of telemedicine becomes more relevant and feasible. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the promising potential of telemedicine in changing the field of disaster medicine and response. By leveraging technology to provide remote access to specialized medical expertise, telemedicine can help bridge the gap in access to quality care that often exists in disaster scenarios. Moreover, by enabling remote consultations, telemedicine can help optimize the utilization of resources, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and reducing strain.
Arielle Kaim (Sun,) studied this question.