Telemedicine technologies in allergology: implementation experience in clinical practice, problems and perspectives

In 2020, the need for widespread restriction of social contacts around the world has raised the issue of alternative types of medical care and, in particular, the development of online consultations with physicians of subspecialties. However, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, telemedicine technologies were demonstrating their ability to save financial and time resources, increase access to health services and improve adherence to treatment for patients with allergic diseases. Despite some technical and legal difficulties associated with the organization of remote appointments, the clinic of the National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency managed to successfully implement a platform for telemedicine consultations. During the period from 1.09.2020 to 19.04.2024, 4675 patients were consulted, 945 of whom filled out a questionnaire on the quality of medical care provided. According to the results of analyzing the obtained data, we observed high patient satisfaction with the new medical service as well as economic profitability of the project. The purpose of this article is to provide a visual overview of the world and domestic experience of telemedicine implementation in the clinical practice of an allergist, to tell about the way of organization and operation of the platform for telemedicine consultations in the National Research Center – Institute of Immunology Federal Medical-Biological Agency, and to highlight the current state of the problem.