Medical Association Vienna Takes Action Against ÖGK Tender
Johannes Steinhart, President of the Medical Association Vienna, emphasized at a press conference that the technology itself is not being criticized. Telemedicine can improve healthcare and is already integrated into medicine. In psychiatry, telemedicine services account for 31.5 percent, in internal medicine 9.8 percent. In general medicine, dermatology, neurology, and pediatrics, usage is between five and eight percent. It is important to integrate telemedicine into the existing care structure, as a parallel structure is not sensible, especially in view of the savings due to the ÖGK's deficit.
ÖGK: Initial consultation via telemedicine cannot replace necessary personal examination
The Health Insurance Fund wants to provide its insured with quick access to initial medical consultation by general practitioners via video telephony on a secure platform, according to a press release. The offer is particularly aimed at people with mild complaints, where an assessment is possible without physical contact with the doctor. The offer should be available nationwide and accessed via the health hotline 1450. However, telemedicine cannot replace a necessary personal examination, emphasized the fund.
If the lawsuit is successful, it could result in the tender being void or the framework conditions needing to be adjusted, said Kamaleyan-Schmied. The concept is not yet advanced enough "to stand firmly on both feet." There should be no anonymous consultations and no prescription of medication if the patient is not known. There is a risk that the "overall view" is missing and diseases are overlooked, said the general practitioner, who offers telemedicine in her own practice. This must remain in the hands of trusted doctors, she emphasized. In Vienna, there is already a well-functioning model with the medical on-call service for off-peak times.
ÖGK does not understand the "blockade" of the Medical Association
There is room for improvement in telemedicine, however, said Steinhart. In Austrian general practices, the use of video consultations during the Corona pandemic was about 25 percent, quoted Kamaleyan-Schmied from a survey conducted in 38 European countries. The average was 47.5 percent. Kathryn Hoffmann from MedUni Vienna, who participated in the study, derives two recommendations from this according to a press release. Doctors should be involved in the development of technical solutions. Video consultations are also only meaningful if they are embedded in continuous care by trusted doctors.
Even before the press conference of the Medical Association, the ÖGK had stated in a release that they could not understand their "blockade." Telemedicine is not, after all, contrary to medical care, but a "useful additional tool that provides patients with quick and targeted guidance and can specifically relieve existing care structures." Advantages such as the elimination of travel and waiting times, which also benefit people with limited mobility and caregiving responsibilities, are obvious.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.