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Review
. 2025 May 2;13(9):1046.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare13091046.

The Role of Sustainability in Telemedicine Services: The Case of the Greek National Telemedicine Network

Fotios Rizos  1   2 , Haralampos Karanikas  3 , Angeliki Katsapi  1   3 , Mariana Tsana  1 , Vasileios Tsoukas  3 , George Koukoulas  4 , Dimitrios Drakopoulos  5 , Aglaia Katsiroumpa  6 , Petros Galanis  6
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Sustainability in Telemedicine Services: The Case of the Greek National Telemedicine Network

Fotios Rizos et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Sustainability in healthcare has gained increasing importance due to its impact on environmental, financial, and social strategies, as well as on public health, and therefore, relevant policies and actions can also play a significant role in telemedicine services. The establishment of a sustainable telemedicine network at a country level is important to improve access to healthcare, reduce costs, increase convenience, and ensure the continuity of service delivery. However, there are significant environmental, social, technological, human, and governance challenges to meet the sustainability conditions for these networks. Methods: Thus, a narrative literature review was conducted to investigate the telemedicine implementation aspects and the sustainability dimensions in a unified approach and integrated strategy in order to develop a more resilient and equitable healthcare solution, ensuring its long-term integration into healthcare systems. Results: This paper aims to identify critical factors related to the proposed governance model for the National Telemedicine Network in Greece (EDIT) that influence sustainability requirements and interdisciplinary strategies to address relevant challenges. Conclusions: By examining these factors, the paper seeks to propose the fundamental pillars of a sustainable telemedicine framework and the methodology for developing a sustainability plan that will enhance EDIT's capacities toward a sustainable and resilient operation of telemedicine as a standard practice within the Greek healthcare system.

Keywords: Greek national telemedicine network; e-health; healthcare; sustainability; telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author F.R. is the Deputy Executive Secretary in Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Avedis Donabedian. Author A.K. is the Executive Secretary in Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Avedis Donabedian. Author M.T. is employed by Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Avedis Donabedian. Author G.K. is employed by 2nd Healthcare Region of Piraeus and Aegean Piraeus, Greece. Author D.D. is employed by Dextera Consulting. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Methodology based on PRISMA principles. Source: Derived from our research.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Fundamental pillars of sustainable telemedicine framework Source: Derived from our research.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlation of the fundamental pillars of sustainable telemedicine framework Source: Derived from our research.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Proposed steps of the methodology for developing a sustainability plan in telemedicine services in Greece Source: Derived from our research.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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