Coronavirus: The expansion of telemedicine and e-health services

ADSE on reimbursements, these numbers will grow significantly.

In a context where confinement (isolation) and social distancing are the main measures to combat the spread of the new Coronavirus, digitalisation is reaching all sectors of activity and, through telemedicine, the healthcare sector is no exception.

The Directorate-General of Health’s Guideline no. 010/2010 of 16 March, headed “Infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) – Social Distancing and Isolation”, recommends precisely that:

 “(…)

You should avoid travelling to see your doctor and should first contact the health services and find out about alternatives to travelling (e.g. teleconsultation, remote prescription of medications)” (emphasis added).

 The extension of telemedicine services and, in general, the means of distance communication, have come about as a natural reaction to restrictions arising from the current pandemic emergency.

In this note, we will present some issues that arise from this way of providing medical care which, although not new, are more important today than they ever were.