Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022): infermieristica journal: nursing r-evolution
Articles

Is telemedicine a golden opportunity or a dangerous roundabout for chronic rheumatic diseases? A narrative review

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  • Maria Ramona Melis,
  • Khadija El Aoufy,
  • Marco Matucci-Cerinic
Maria Ramona Melis
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence & Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
Khadija El Aoufy
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence & Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/if-1777

Published 2022-06-18

Keywords

  • telerheumatology,
  • telemedicine,
  • telenursing,
  • COVID-19,
  • rheumatic diseases,
  • rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases
    • ...More
    Less
Copyright Notice

Abstract

Introduction: Telemedicine (TM) reported a great increase from 50% to 150% in health care to RMDs patients during the COVID-19 period, but conflicting opinions in the literature are still present.

Aim: to investigate the results of literature on TM in terms of feasibility (patients’ satisfaction, accessibility, clinical outcomes and barriers), discussing its integration for the future in a nursing perspective during and after COVID-19 period.

Methods: the team that conducted the narrative review was composed by two rheumatology and research nurses (MRM, KEA) and a rheumatologist (MMC), who discussed the relevance of the research question and agreed on the search strategy. Pubmed and Google Scholar databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were: original and quantitative research papers in English with available abstract/full text, on adult patients with RMDs in accordance with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and/or European Alliance of Associations of Rheumatology (EULAR) classification criteria, exposed to any kind of technologies during and after COVID19 period, investigating any kind of patient/clinical reported outcomes.

Results: TM could be considered as an integration to standard clinical care in Rheumatology, especially for patients with a stable or low disease activity and rheumatic diagnosis. The choice of the candidates and the assessment of their E-health literacy level are necessary prior including them in TM programs. In addition, healthcare professionals need to be trained in this new modality of providing care.

Conclusion: hybrid models of telehealthcare might be a balanced solution, improving efficiency of the consultation, continuity of care and providing a patient-centred approach.

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