Impact of Telemedicine during COVID-19 in Ireland Reviewed

A new report highlights the challenges and the benefits of telemedicine complimenting traditional face to face patient care

Thursday, 22nd April 2021: The Medical Council has today published the report of its Working Group on Telemedicine, 14 months on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in a time when telemedicine played a central role in caring for patients.

The arrival of COVID-19 in Ireland with its associated risks and restrictions resulted in a rapid increase in the number of patients using telemedicine but also the number and type of doctors using telemedicine, almost overnight.

Research carried out in October 2020 by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of the Medical Council showed there has been a five-fold increase in the use of telemedicine since March 2020. By October, 21% of the population had used a telemedicine service, up from 4% of the population in March.

Medical Council President, Dr Rita Doyle welcomed the publication of the report which she said recognised the growing role of telemedicine in modern healthcare.

“With the arrival of COVID-19 in Ireland last year doctors were forced to make one of the most difficult choices in their careers and that was to close their doors to patients in all but emergency situations, but the medical profession and health service adapted quickly and telephone and video consultations became the norm during the darkest days of this pandemic.”

“While telemedicine can never replace traditional face to face consultations with patients, when used appropriately, it can compliment it and enhance the doctor patience experience.”

“The Medical Council had a number of concerns about telemedicine before the pandemic and a Working Group was established to examine these issues, but the impact of the pandemic has made this report even more important and its findings should be considered in the context of the future of healthcare delivery in Ireland,” concluded Dr Doyle.

Chair of the Telemedicine Working Group, Mr Paul Harkin, said that the growth of telemedicine in Ireland reflected a broader modernisation of healthcare within an international context.

“The continued evolution of widely accessible technology represents an exciting period for medicine as accessing care becomes ever more widespread and convenient’, Mr Harkin said.

“The report includes insight into the effectiveness of telemedicine in other jurisdictions such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, where telemedicine has greatly enhanced healthcare for those living in remote areas or in need of outside hours support among others.”

“This report recognises the importance of supporting this emerging area of healthcare in Ireland to ensure that its associated benefits can be maximised to enhance the standard of care for Irish patients, while also ensuring that an appropriate regulatory environment is created to continue to ensure patients are protected,” concluded Mr Harkin.

The Telemedicine Working Group was established by the Medical Council to investigate telemedicine in patient care and its effectiveness in other jurisdictions, as well as exploring resulting effects on registration, service provision and ethical guidance for doctors.

The group considered a systematic review of the literature on the topic, undertook a consultative forum with invited representation, consulted with members of the medical profession and patient advocates and also commissioned public opinions research into attitudes relating to telemedicine.

In response to the unprecedented surge in the use of telemedicine resulting from COVID19, the group also published a guide on telemedicine for doctors and a separate guide for patients.

Report available here:

Literature review available here:

Stakeholder consultation report here:

ENDS