Pierre Simon: "The challenges and development of telemedicine"

 

Telemedicine optimizes resources and compensates for the lack of certain services in specific areas. As such, it ensures healthcare is better organized, which improves the service provided to patients. Within local care structures for example, the ability to offer second opinions remotely means patients no longer need be transferred to other institutions. Within the Midi-Pyrénées region, we have reduced patient transfers by 50% in this manner, and loss of chance by 30%. For chronic pathologies, telemedicine prevents complications and hospitalizations, thanks to remote monitoring with regular follow-ups at home. In Canada, telemonitoring patients with cardiac insufficiencies has reduced the average number of days spent annually in hospital from twelve to four, in just four years. 

 

Yes, and this has just been introduced via the HPST (a law on hospital reform and on patients, healthcare and the regions), which outlines legislation on telemedicine. Following parliamentary debates, politicians unanimously voted to introduce an amendment describing telemedicine as “a form of remote medical practice that employs information and communication technologies”. This legal framework means the segment can now develop quickly.

 

Sharing information is essential if we are to improve patient care. Telemedicine will progress far more effectively if there is a structured DMP accessible to all healthcare professionals. For the 17 million patients affected by chronic pathologies in particular, the link between telemedicine and the DMP will help ensure that a superior quality of treatment is provided.