Smart Medicine, Application of Electronic Healthcare and

STYLE Smart Medicine, Application of Electronic Healthcare and Telemedicine Martin Gebauer is a renowned and experienced doctor in the Karviná district. He studied at the medical faculty in Olomouc and his specialty is gynecology and obstetrics. He promotes and utilizes modern medical procedures that are part of so-called smart medicine. His motto is “a satisfied doctor=a satisfied patient.” In his free time, though he has little of it, he enjoys playing golf at some of the beautiful regional courses. Recently we have been seeing many developments in the area of electronic medicine and telemedicine. What are some projects in these fields that are currently being supported by our region? Does the region have an innovative project in these areas? We came up with the premise of the “smart region” three and a half years ago, and medicine is definitely part of it. It is something very new; many parameters are becoming digital. We began with order/reservation systems and laboratory results, and later continued with, for example, the electronic visit. All test results are recorded on the patient’s online card, where the doctor has immediate access to everything from x-ray images to MRI scans. We also implemented government proposals such as e-prescriptions and e-sick notes. The precarious situation with COVID-19 also served to open our eyes: insurance companies, healthcare providers and also patients have found out that many situations can be solved longdistance. Current phone-based consultations with a healthcare professional gave us the idea to create a web and mobile application that would allow long-distance medical advice, or even, perhaps, treatment. This would materialize in the form of emails and text messages, however, it would also include more modern alternatives, such as a videoconference with the doctor. This is thanks to the doctor’s ability to use speech, movement or mimicry to help identify a proper diagnosis. This means that ECG values, temperature, blood pressure or a blood test, are not the only factors that can help with the primary diagnosis without a visit to the doctor. Not only does this save time for the patient, but it does so for the doctor as well, who can then, in simpler cases, treat patients from a distance. If need be, the healthcare professional can send the patient for further examination through the use of an e-prescription or an e-request. An interesting idea is also the diagnostics of patients in hard-to-access or remote places. Our vision also includes the practical application of simplified treatment at telemeter points, where a medium medical staff with enough basic equipment to provide primary care would collect data that would be sent to the doctor, who could then evaluate it without having to be physically present. Nowadays, this is a vision that requires specific cooperation parameters. In the past, a thorough analysis of medical facilities was conducted and its subsequent concept emerged. What are the current conclusions of this concept? Will the region continue in its development? Are investments planned in this area? The whole concept began with optimization, which was realized in all regional hospitals. Of course, the most striking changes took place in the district of Karviná, where the transformation of acute treatment and chronic beds or an adjustment to the bed fund was crucial. This turned out to be a good solution even throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, the hospital in Orlová became safe for senior citizens who were then isolated from the outside world against possible infection. The Orlová hospital will therefore be gradually accepting bedridden patients. This means that the segregation of the hospital solely for the needs of our elderly citizens was a very far-sighted solution. Other than that, no major changes will be taking place, because the bed fund has been stabilized, and we will, of course, continue investing into the technological development of other departments, such as the modernization of the rehabilitation department in Třinec and so on. We want all of our hospitals to have MRI scans, which means that we will not rest on our laurels and we want to further invest in innovative technologies and new departments. Does the region have a program for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle to the general populace? In cooperation with the RBP insurance company, we are creating a program for a healthy lifestyle that is linked with telemedicine. Through the use of telemedicine, the program allows the monitoring of not only patients with diabetes, but also ones with Text: high blood pressure and other patients that use modern medicines. redakce With the application of modern approaches, the insurance firm Foto: can then distribute bonuses for patients as well as doctors. archiv MSK Thank you for the interview. www.msk.cz POSITIV 2/2020 ǀ 89