The World Health Organization's European Region has launched a pioneering resource aimed at helping healthcare systems worldwide implement telemedicine services. Developed by researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), the Support Tool to Strengthen Telemedicine comes as part of UOC’s role as a WHO Collaborating Centre in eHealth from 2018 to 2024. This tool is poised to assist countries in improving equitable access to healthcare by integrating telemedicine into their digital health strategies.

Telemedicine has been gaining momentum globally, but its implementation remains uneven. According to a recent WHO report, 78% of member states in the Europe Region have incorporated telemedicine into their health policies. However, many countries still face hurdles due to the lack of comprehensive guidelines for its effective deployment. This gap is what the newly launched tool seeks to bridge, offering a structured framework to guide healthcare systems through the process of adopting telemedicine.

Francesc Saigí, a researcher with UOC’s Epi4health group and the Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasized the tool’s potential. “The tool is ideal for countries seeking to integrate telemedicine into their digital health strategy in order to ensure equitable access to health services,” Saigí explained. He added that it also supports healthcare networks by improving service coordination between different levels, enhancing continuity and efficiency.

The support tool provides a comprehensive, step-by-step framework designed to assist health sector leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in the effective implementation of telemedicine services. It begins with a Health Ecosystem Assessment, which evaluates the current healthcare environment's readiness for telemedicine, ensuring a solid foundation for its introduction. From there, it moves into Strategy Design, where an integrated telemedicine strategy is crafted to align seamlessly with the existing healthcare system.

The tool also focuses on Organizational Change, which emphasizes the need for healthcare organizations to adapt to the new digital landscape, facilitating the transition smoothly. Following this, Service Development is tackled, ensuring that the telemedicine services built cater to the population's healthcare needs effectively.

Finally, the tool covers Monitoring and Optimization, a continuous process of assessing and refining telemedicine services after implementation to ensure they remain effective, efficient, and responsive to evolving healthcare demands. This interconnected approach ensures that telemedicine services are not only implemented but also sustained for long-term success.

One of the tool’s strengths is its versatility, making it applicable not only to national healthcare systems but also to individual healthcare centers seeking to implement telemedicine. The tool’s evidence-based design and incorporation of global best practices ensure its effectiveness, Saigí noted.

Despite the tool’s comprehensive framework, several challenges remain in telemedicine implementation. Resistance to organizational change, particularly from healthcare professionals, poses a significant barrier. "The adoption of new processes and technologies may encounter opposition, which is why it’s crucial to involve professionals from the outset," Saigí pointed out.

Additional barriers include limited training in telemedicine, inadequate financial resources, and the complexity of integrating telemedicine with existing healthcare systems. Legal and ethical considerations also vary across regions, adding another layer of complexity to the implementation process.

Since the WHO's release of the support tool, some countries have already started integrating it into their healthcare systems. Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken the lead, with Georgia soon to follow. Other nations, such as Armenia, Moldova, and Romania, have expressed interest, but national-scale implementation is progressing slowly due to its complexity.

Looking ahead, Saigí’s team at UOC is developing a follow-up tool that will focus on evaluating the outcomes of telemedicine services, both clinically and economically. This builds on UOC’s previous contributions to telemedicine, including the Framework for the Implementation of a Telemedicine Service and the eHealth in the Region of the Americas report, which broke down barriers to telemedicine adoption in that region.

As telemedicine continues to expand globally, resources like the WHO’s support tool are vital for ensuring that healthcare systems can harness the full potential of digital health, improving access and outcomes for patients worldwide.