Bridging Gaps in Telemedicine Education in Romania to Support Future Health Care: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine is a key element of modern health care, providing remote medical consultations and bridging the gap between patients and health care providers. Despite legislative advancements and pilot programs, the integration of telemedicine education in Romania remains limited. Addressing these educational gaps is essential for preparing current and future medical professionals to effectively use telemedicine technologies.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current state of telemedicine education for medical professionals in Romania, focusing on the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into medical curricula, identifying the challenges and opportunities, and providing recommendations for improving telemedicine education.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Peer-reviewed articles from 2019 to 2023 were identified using databases such as PubMed and Scopus. Additional gray literature was reviewed to provide a comprehensive understanding of telemedicine education in Romania. Data were thematically analyzed to extract key findings and recommendations.

Results: The review identified significant progress in the legislative and infrastructural aspects of telemedicine in Romania, but highlighted gaps in integrating telemedicine education into curricula for medical professionals and other health care practitioners directly involved in telemedicine practices. While some universities have included telemedicine components, dedicated telemedicine courses and hands-on training remain insufficient. Barriers include a lack of infrastructure, digital literacy, and practical exposure to telemedicine technologies.

Conclusions: For telemedicine to be effectively integrated into Romania's health care system, medical education must be adapted to include comprehensive telemedicine training. Recommendations include enhancing digital literacy, fostering public-private partnerships, and incorporating telemedicine into undergraduate and continuous professional education programs. These efforts are essential for improving healthcare access and quality through telemedicine.

Keywords: Romania; digital health; digital literacy; future healthcare; health education; healthcare education; healthcare providers; healthcare system; micro-credentials; quality care; scoping review; technologies; telehealth; telemedicine.

Figure 1.. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart for identification and selection of studies.