Opportunities for using telemedicine based on the COVID-19 pandemic

Relevance. The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic highlighted the use of telemedicine in healthcare delivery during a public health emergency to remotely assess and provide care to patients already infected with the coronavirus or those fearing exposure to COVID-19 through face-to-face contact. Objective. Explore the response of the world’s health systems and their medical institutions to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic using telemedicine and its practical application and contribution to health care in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A search analysis of published literature data was conducted using the English-language database of medical and biological publications PubMed. The most up-to-date information is obtained from relevant websites. Results. The concept of telemedicine, its legislative framework, and current trends in its practical application are discussed. It has been confirmed that there has been a sharp increase in the use of telemedicine and mobile applications in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for infection control. Assessed healthcare provider, health insurance, and pharmacy policy reforms in several countries to integrate telemedicine into practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been established that the expansion of the use of telemedicine in the COVID-19 era has confronted society as a whole with the need to solve some practical problems that impede progress in this area. The recommendations of professional medical organizations regarding telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed, and attempts were made to solve the problems of advanced telemedicine practice. Conclusion. The use of telemedicine is undeniably effective in promoting social distancing and isolation/quarantine of patients, which is a proven means of strengthening the public health position in countering the spread of coronavirus. The need for social distancing has made telemedicine a critical factor in the fight against the pandemic spread of COVID-19.