Teleemergency doctor in action: Positive results despite cell phone problems!

Teleemergency doctor in action: Positive results despite cell phone problems!

Nowadays, when emergency care in Germany is treated like a hot potato, a trend is emerging that is not only innovative, but also targets the urgent needs of patients. The idea of ​​a teleemergency doctor who gives instructions via video link from the office is increasingly becoming a reality. There has been a positive balance since it started a good year ago, with around 400 missions carried out Deutschlandfunk reported.

However, there are also challenges that cannot be ignored. There were repeated problems with the mobile phone connection, and in a third of the cases the transmission even failed completely. This could lead to a critical situation when quick help is required. In individual cases the system did not work at all. Nevertheless, the concept of telemedical support is on a stable path, as it was initiated more than ten years ago in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia.

Emergency care reform in focus

In recent months, the Bundestag has worked intensively on reforming emergency care. The topic revolves around the use of teleemergency doctors, who provide valuable support for overloaded emergency rooms and rescue services. These doctors can advise paramedics on site and offer a second medical opinion, which is particularly important in rural areas. An example is a man with a racing heart who was able to receive adequate treatment in a timely manner by a tele-emergency doctor in order to avoid life-threatening conditions, such as daily news determines.

A highlight of the reform is the new emergency law, which was passed by the federal cabinet in July 2024 and is due to come into force at the beginning of 2025. The aim is to improve acute care and defuse crises in emergency rooms. The focus is on the growing importance of telemedicine in order to relieve the burden on general practitioners and emergency rooms.

The advantages of telemedicine

The advantages of telemedicine are clear: faster diagnoses, more efficient treatments and fewer physical visits are on the list of plus points. Teleconsultations and remote monitoring could not only shorten treatment time, but also help patients receive quicker care in acute emergencies. This is particularly important as the challenges in emergency care continue to worsen due to increased patient numbers and a shortage of skilled workers. So shows Telmedicon found that telemedicine represents a promising solution to ensure early care and avoid unnecessary transport to the emergency room.

Although the opportunities of telemedicine are obvious, there are also some challenges that need to be overcome. These include inadequate digitalization in the healthcare system and unstable internet connections, especially in rural regions. Data protection concerns must also be taken seriously when sensitive patient data is involved.

However, implementation could be encouraged by imitations from other European countries. Sweden, for example, uses telemedicine and drones in emergency medicine, while Great Britain already offers telemedicine services via the NHS.

Conclusion: The role of telemedicine in emergency care could not be more crucial. The teleemergency doctor has the potential to improve patient care and significantly reduce the burden on emergency rooms. However, it remains to be seen how the challenges of the infrastructural framework can be overcome.