Effectiveness Of Telemedicine In EMS System: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background:

Telemedicine (TM) describes the usage of information technology to share precise information for diagnosis, management, and prevention of diseases. TM provides prompt access to healthcare, remote treatment options, and a significant decrease in needless ER visits and hospital stays. Due to the increase in patients, resource constraints, and the complexity of cases that present to acute care settings, the global burden of emergency medical services (EMS) is still increasing. Thus, the application of TM in EMS may be able to lessen the workload of EMS and increase its effectiveness.

Aim:

To assess the effectiveness of TM implemented in emergency medical service (EMS) by reviewing the previous studies concerned with this subject.

Methods:

The relevant articles were obtained through an online search on scientific websites using relevant terms. The eligible articles were original ones written in the English language, providing quantitative analysis regarding the effectiveness of TM in EMS.

Results:

Eight studies met the determined criteria and were included. The studies assessed TM effectiveness through assessing the number of admissions, calls, and missions of EMS, and studying the hours and number of patients.

Conclusion:

TM was effective in the EMS system, which would reduce the burden on EMS while improving its efficiency. TM showed its effectiveness in EMS in almost six aspects to improve EMS service and quality.