Krzysztof Żuralski: Telemedicine will not replace in-person visits, but will complement them
Krzysztof Żuralski discusses the current state of telemedicine in Poland, highlighting its growth, especially in family medicine, and the challenges faced in the patient appointment system.
In a recent discussion, Krzysztof Żuralski examines the current scale of telemedicine utilization in Poland, noting that it varies by medical specialty. Telemedicine saw a dramatic rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, with teleconsultations accounting for 70-80% of all visits at one point. However, this ratio has since stabilized to around 12-15% of primary care consultations. While remote consultations present a convenient option for many patients, some clinics struggle with their scheduling systems, resulting in patients having to wait for phone calls throughout the day instead of having scheduled times for their consultations. The development of telemedicine in recent years has accelerated significantly. Żuralski points out that both legal and technological frameworks were rather well-prepared prior to the rapid expansion of telemedicine. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, initiatives such as electronic sick notes and e-prescriptions had already been implemented effectively, which played a crucial role in maintaining continuity of healthcare services during the health crisis. This precedes the broader adoption of telemedicine practices, enabling healthcare providers to adapt quickly when the demand for remote services surged. Despite the progress, Żuralski emphasizes that telemedicine should not completely replace traditional in-person visits. Instead, he argues that it should serve to complement these visits, ensuring patients receive optimal care. He cautions that while telemedicine offers significant advantages, especially in terms of accessibility and convenience, there are still aspects of healthcare that benefit from face-to-face interactions, thus signaling a hybrid future for healthcare service delivery in Poland.