REMOTE MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS FOR PATIENTS: PRO ET CONTRA

The year 2020, marked by the pandemic, caused an explosive growth in demand for telemedicine services, especially remote consultations and patient monitoring. The author analyzed data from over 100 articles by Georgian and international authors, 117 reviews of internet resources, and laws related to the keywords „remote patient consultation“ and „pandemic.“ Several publications were selected for this work, and the author's own opinions and experiences are presented. Today, remote consultations in Georgia are used for initial visits, preventive appointments, referrals to clinics, and obtaining second opinions, with the possibility of prescribing additional tests. Over the past 20 years, there has been significant growth in the development of remote consultations, long-term health monitoring, and the use of mobile apps for tracking vital signs. An important aspect is the legal regulation of telemedicine use, but it remains imperfect and needs revision. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven the development of telemedicine technologies in the public health system.