TELEMED: Database on Evidence Based Telemedicine in a Hospital Setting
ABSTRACT
Background:
The use of telemedicine services has increased worldwide during recent years as a result of the national strategies for digitalization of health care and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, health care professionals often express uncertainty regarding the evidence and the effectiveness of telemedicine interventions. Therefor Centre for Innovative Medical Technology (CIMT) at Odense University Hospital introduced the TELEMED database (https://telemedicine.cimt.dk/), an evidence based telemedicine database.
Objective:
To ensure that hospital managers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders gain access to information about scientific studies of telemedicine interventions and their effectiveness.
Methods:
The database constitutes a structured literature search in PubMed for RCT or controlled trials on the effect of telemedicine for somatic diseases treated at hospitals. The search was conducted by staff members in the HTA-unit at CIMT. First, identified studies were sorted by screening titles and abstracts and subsequently by reading full-text versions. The data extracted from the studies included setting, intervention, patient group, type of telemedicine, clinical effect, patient perception and implementation challenges. Finally, the value of each study was assessed with respect to effectiveness.
Results:
518 articles were included for data extraction and assessment. The database provides results from 22 different specialties and can be searched using the criteria: Medical specialty, country, technology, clinical effect, patient experience and economic effect. The database serves as a platform for the dialogue with clinical departments who wish to implement telemedicine services and has a large potential for supporting the digital transformation during Covid-19 as evidence-based information on patient groups, relevant technologies and their effect is easily accessible.
Conclusions:
The TELEMED database provides an easily accessible overview of existing evidence-based telemedicine services. The database is freely available and is expected to be continuously improved and broadened over time. Clinical Trial: None
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