The introduction of telemedicine technologies into the practice of the psychiatrist provided specialists from regional health care facilities an opportunity to receive remote consultations for diagnosis and treatment in complicated cases. In addition, such consultations are crucial to improving access to health care for the population.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the profile of patients with mental and behavioral disorders referred for the telemedicine consultation and assess the results of such consultations.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The outcomes of cooperation between the head psychiatric hospital of the Orenburg region and the National Medical Research Center, which provides remote assistance in the field of “psychiatry” and “psychiatry and addiction medicine” are presented. Requests for telemedicine consultations and relevant medical conclusions were analyzed using the continuous sampling. Extensive and intensive coefficients and mean values were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 102 protocols of telemedicine consultations for the period 2019-2020 were processed. Most consulted patients were males (64.7%). The average age of the patients was 34.7±3.0 years. The largest percentage of patients referred for telemedicine consultations had the following ICD-10 groups diagnoses: F20-F29 (45.1%), F30-F39 (17.7%), and F00-F09 (5.7%). In 47.1% of cases, the federal center consultants revised the diagnosis, but most cases were diagnosed within the same ICD-10 groups: F20-F29 (49.1%), F30-F39 (19.6%), and F00-F09 (13.7%). The treatment regimen was revised for 84.3% of patients, and in 31.4% of patients additional diagnostic tests were recommended.
CONCLUSION
The profile of patients with mental disorders, which benefit the most from remote consultations was established. Based on a review of the medical conclusions, the attending physicians were provided alternative options for managing patients in complicated clinical cases. Quality diagnosis and well-timed adequate treatment contribute to long-term remission and improve the disease prognosis.