Telemanagement and Radiology: current structure, opportunities and new horizons

Telemedicine is a method of providing remote services in compliance with data security, with a significant positive impact on healthcare, in which Teleradiology means the electronic transmission of radiographic images from one geographical area to another. In this context, the term "telemanagement" shows a real remote management of a diagnostic examination, concluded by the production of telereport and telediagnosis.

On the basis of Italian position papers, National guidelines and current Laws, a careful analysis of multiple aspects was carried out, in order to understand the current obligations and application limits.

Proper radiotelemanagement requires a shared operating protocol within the structure, which integrates verification and safety procedures, periodic checks and adequate resources. In addition, practical interface between the involved figures must be properly established. Then, guidelines highlight the "standard" radiological procedures that can be performed in the absence of the specialist: in ordinary hospitalization, it is allowed to perform Telemanagement procedures only within "standard" procedures; in emergency setting, the only limit is placed in case of administration of contrast agent. No provisions have been approved for teleradiological work in private settings. Finally, inter-company procedures are only provided for screening programs. In this context; potential negative implications are the risk of substitution of health professionals, as well as ethical issues related to data security, patient's consent and quality of the doctor-patient relationship. In an effort of optimism aimed at the future, we want to express our propensity towards a universe with lots of potential that, over time, will emerge in its concreteness.