The importance of telemedicine for a more sustainable Healthcare Service

Abstract Issue The Alta Padovana Healthcare District, in Veneto Region, has a population of 350,000 and an aging index of 1.66; there are 2 hospitals with a total of 700 beds and a close collaboration between hospital specialists and general practitioners. Telemedicine was introduced to promote access to healthcare. Description of the issue The Health Service, already stressed by the recent pandemic and widespread reduction in staff, is not always able to respond to the growing demand for healthcare due to the aging population, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the growing complexity of care and the loosening of social networks. During 2024, the telemedicine offer included teleconsultations by general practitioners and doctors from long-term care facilities. Telemonitoring was carried out for patients with cardiac or respiratory failure and for those with pacemakers (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). Specialist physicians (endocrinologists, cardiologists, diabetologists) were recruited for the telemedicine visits. Results In total 6,045 telemedicine services were performed, including 446 PM/ICD follow-ups, 1,955 telemonitoring and 1,937 both educational therapy and caregiver counseling visits for diabetic patients. 688 patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving oxygen therapy and/or mechanical ventilation were followed at home for an average of one telemedicine visit per week and a hospitalization rate of 8% (55 patients); without telemedicine, the 45 patients receiving mechanical ventilation at home would have had an estimated hospitalization rate of 30% and would not have been discharged. 17 individual psychotherapy sessions were performed for cancer patients and 96 patients performed back rehabilitation exercises with the support of telemedicine. Lessons The sustainability of the health service is supported by telemedicine, which responds to the greater health needs of an increasingly elderly and lonely population. Key messages • The use of telemedicine allows for home testing, avoiding inappropriate access to the hospital. • Frequent use of telemedicine allows for a reduction in hospital admissions of elderly chronic patients.