About telemedicine
Telemedicine involves the provision of healthcare services remotely using information and communication technologies that exchange information important for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness and injuries, information important for scientific research and evaluations, as well as education of healthcare professionals with the aim of improving the health of individuals and their communities. Thanks to the provision of remote healthcare services, patients no longer need to go to a hospital with specialists to get professional advice or treatment for their health condition.
Telemedicine activities in the Republic of Croatia are regulated by the Health Care Act (OG 100/18, 125/19, 147/20, 119/22, 156/22, 33/23, 36/24), the Regulation on the conditions, organization and manner of performing telemedicine (OG 138/11, 110/12), and the Decision on the adoption of the Telemedicine Centre Network (OG 94/21, 120/23, 23/24).
The Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine (CIEM) organises, implements and supervises the implementation of telemedicine services into the healthcare system of the Republic of Croatia to ensure equal availability of specialist healthcare services in all parts of the RoC, including islands, rural and traffic-isolated areas. CIEM procures, configures and installs equipment, computers, and information and communication infrastructure for each telemedicine centre in the basic Telemedicine Centre Network (OG 94/21,120/23, 23/24). Additionally, CIEM educates healthcare professionals on its use and provides technical support to all telemedicine centres 24/7.
Where can telemedicine services be received?
Telemedicine services can be received in telemedicine access centres, while telemedicine specialist centres are the location of receiving and providing telemedicine services according to speciality. Today, telemedicine services are available in most healthcare institutions across the Republic of Croatia, from clinical hospital centres in larger cities to health centres, and the exact locations can be found in the Telemedicine Centre Network (OG 94/21, 120/23, 23/24).
What telemedicine services are available?
Telemedicine services include the digital exchange of findings, recordings and readings, diagnosis, remote treatment and the possibility of a second professional opinion. They are currently available in radiology, cardiology, pulmonology, psychiatry, endocrinology, neurology, transfusion and haemodialysis. The range of telemedicine services is constantly expanding thanks to technological innovations that are often redefined and perfected in the process of application and are continually improving and adapting to healthcare requirements.
How to schedule a telemedicine examination?
The procedure for scheduling telemedicine services is the same as the procedure for scheduling specialist exams or “face-to-face” examinations. The service is sought by the primary health care physician for the patient based on a referral given to them, while the teleconsultant, i.e. a doctor or specialist, provides the requested service. The telemedicine access centre’s institution manages the ordering process.
Do telemedicine examinations respect the principles of confidentiality and privacy of patients?
A telemedicine examination is private and confidential, just like a regular medical examination. The data can be seen and heard only by the patient and their possible escort and by the healthcare workers involved in the examination.
Who pays telemedicine examination services?
All expenses, except for compulsory participation in the health insurance costs of the insured, are covered by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund.
