ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF IMPLEMENTING TELEMEDICINE IN UKRAINE: MACROECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Empirical evidence confirms the economic efficiency of telemedicine as a catalyst for modernizing Ukraine’s health-care system and stimulating economic growth. This study presents a comprehensive econometric assessment of telemedicine’s impact on gross domestic product (GDP) – a principal indicator of macroeconomic expansion. It analyzes the economic outcomes of telemedicine adoption under conditions of limited resources and the distinctive challenges facing Ukraine’s health sector, including inadequate funding, war-damaged infrastructure, and restricted access to medical services in rural areas. Even under a baseline scenario, telemedicine is projected to raise GDP by UAH 39.41 billion; an optimistic scenario estimates an increase of up to UAH 185.30 billion, representing a substantial contribution to the national economy. The primary objective is to evaluate how telemedicine fosters economic development through both direct and indirect channels while identifying potential risks and barriers to its successful implementation. A multivariate regression model is employed, incorporating four key factors: direct health-care cost savings (SAV), reductions in indirect costs (IND), optimization of infrastructure-restoration expenditures (INF), and gains in labor productivity (PROD). To maximize these effects, the study recommends: (i) expanding high-speed Internet coverage in rural areas; (ii) implementing training programs for medical personnel and the general population; (iii) subsidizing telemedicine equipment for small clinics; and (iv) accelerating the development of regulatory frameworks governing remote medical services. Long-term investments in digitalizationsuch as satellite Internet solutions (e.g., Starlink) and the establishment of a health – care reserve fund – can mitigate risks and support sustained GDP growth.