OBJECTIVE
To analyze the efficacy of telemedicine consultations in specialized medical care for children with oncological and hematological diseases in remote regions of the Russian Federation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We analyzed the results of telemedicine consultations in three remote regions between 2021 and 2023. The object of the study was purpose of requests for telemedicine consultations and compliance (%) with subsequent recommendations. Descriptive statistics included absolute values and percentages. To assess changes over time, we analyzed dynamic series and growth rates. Frequencies of various diseases identified after telemedicine consultations were assessed. Confidence intervals were calculated to determine accuracy of results.
RESULTS
There were 2777 telemedicine consultations. Consultations on pediatric oncology predominated (82.5%), while consultations on hematology (9%) and immunology (8.5%) were less common. The annual number of telemedicine consultations increased by 38%. Patients hospitalized in federal centers comprised about 44% of those seeking telemedicine consultation. In remote analysis of pathomorphological material, coincidence of diagnoses varied from 0% to 43.5% in different regions. The number of expert reviews of computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging results significantly increased (by 1.8—4.4 times). Full compliance with recommendations of federal center in regional hospitals was noted.
CONCLUSION
Optimized regional costs and higher efficiency of management of patient in pediatric oncology and hematology are possible with widespread use of telemedicine technologies. Clarification of treatment and diagnosis was the most popular in all three profiles (82.5% of all requests).