Future of Telemedicine in Indonesia During Covid-19 Pandemic Era: “Literature Review”

Abstract

Context: Online health consultation services are developing, both website-based and application-based, better known as telemedicine or telehealth. Over 50% of the population can access health information easily. Telemedicine can expand healthcare services, increase accessibility, provide clinical support, save time and costs, and be efficient because it overcomes geographic barriers, offers a wide variety of communication tools, and improves patient care. Telemedicine is used to bring specialist, anti-discriminatory and effective health services closer to the interests and safety of patients to expand the quality services in healthcare centers, especially in rural areas in Indonesia. Material and Methods: The study design used in this article is a narrative literature review or formal review by reading the references carefully, then making a summary, drawing conclusions, and finding gaps in the manuscript adapted to the topic to be discussed. Results: The significant number of problems and challenges in public health services in Indonesia can provide exciting opportunities to develop an e-health system that can help solve problems. To put a stop, the Indonesian government is advising the public and medical professionals to use telemedicine as an online public health service application between hospitals and patients. Conclusions: Telemedicine significantly correlates with government and start-up calls and can be employed as a health service option during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this pandemic, telemedicine can improve services in terms of monitoring, evaluating, and educating patients and medical staff.