Delphi Consensus Study on Technical Skills for Doctor-to-Doctor Telemedicine Conferences and Consultations in Asia

Introduction: Health care disparities are severe across Asia. To bridge gaps in professional knowledge and skills, Doctor-to-Doctor (DtoD) telemedicine shows promise. However, the specific technical skills required for effective DtoD conferences and consultations, particularly those involving advanced technologies, remain undefined. This study aimed to establish a consensus on these essential skills. Methods: We used the Delphi method, engaging 30 participants from Asia-Pacific Advanced Network Medical Working Group DtoD training programs. Investigators and an expert panel developed an initial list of technical skills for both synchronous and asynchronous DtoD teleconferences and consultations, which participants evaluated in Round 1. Following an in-depth workshop, a revised questionnaire incorporating new skills and feedback was assessed in Round 2, yielding the final list. Results: The study included 30 hospital IT staff, doctors, and nurses from 11 Asian countries, 57% of whom were affiliated with university hospitals. All participants completed both rounds. After integrating 46 written comments, 10 new skills were added, resulting in a final list of 43 technical skills. These encompassed conceptual understanding, technical execution, coordination, and security policy. Notably, “Extracting images from medical devices” and “Maintaining audio quality” were identified as key skills. Discussion: This study is the first to delineate the technical skills necessary for DtoD telemedicine conferences and consultations in Asia. The identified skills can guide future training, assessment, and development initiatives to strengthen the telemedicine workforce across the region.