Page 18 - JSOM Fall 2023

TABLE 3 Cont. In the literature research, no data obtained from the partici-
Standard pants on this subject were found, and our study differs in this
Topics Mean Deviation respect. Previously, Poropatich et al. stated that only images
The problems of the devices used in 3.91 1.02 containing identity information and images of the face region
telemedicine applications (low-speed were avoided in terms of the security of personal data, but it
internet connection, energy dependence, was not mentioned whether the data were stored or not. Most
battery capacity, accessibility, etc.) are of the participants thought that it would be appropriate to
still limiting in terms of effectiveness and
efficiency. store the data electronically. Although it is not fully revealed
Personnel who will work for telemedicine 3.79 1.16 why the participants want this, the data storage can be used.
should be selected from those who have • As a document for legal problems that may arise in the future;
worked in the field. • For ethical issues that may occur in the future; and
Telemedicine applications may encounter 3.40 1.10 • As a basis for possible future telemedicine guides and
problems related to information and data algorithms.
security.
Telemedicine applications may cause negative 3.11 1.03 Stored data may also be useful in the follow-up of patients.
consequences, such as data being passed into Electronic records take up less space and provide ease of trans-
the hands of third parties. port and ease of access to the data.
Ethical and legal risks of telemedicine 3.09 1.18
practices are almost non-existent. When referring to Table 2, participants stated that dermato-
The use of telemedicine applications in the 2.85 1.12 logical diseases could be most supported (4.10 ± 1.02) and
field may cause problems in terms of patient
rights/ethics. neurological diseases least supported (3.55 ± 1.07). The fact
*1 was “strongly disagree” and 5 was “strongly agree.” that the participants thought that dermatological diseases
could be supported with telemedicine, but they did not want
this specialty in the telemedicine center in the first place may
It was found that military physicians were eager about the be related to triage inherent in military medicine. It is thought
use of telemedicine in the field. Results emphasized that the that perhaps these physicians think that emergency healthcare
sustainability of telemedicine in the field would only be pos- services are of higher priority.
sible if it covered medical issues that are practical, required
fewer technical details, and appealed to emergency medicine, In addition, it is assumed that neurological diseases require
and that the boundaries of telemedicine should be determined additional examination and analysis and are difficult to follow
alongside legal and ethical regulations. It was also noted that in the field. This is likely why they were selected less often by
personnel should be ready for change and innovation. the participants.

Forty-six participants stated that there should be telemedicine The participants stated that toxic animals/plants issues could
support in the field (97.7%). Reasons behind the eagerness be supported the most with telemedicine within the scope of
of almost all of the participants in this regard include the preventive health services (4.12 ± 1.03), while the indoor air
following: quality could be supported with telemedicine the least (3.78 ±
• Limited treatment options available; 1.12). In the documents prepared by NATO, it was stated that
• Failure or delay in evacuation; the poisonous animals/plants living and found in the operation
• Referral of the patient/injured to the right healthcare area were detected within the scope of medical intelligence and
institution. their pictures were prepared and used in document format. It
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is thought that the data prepared in this context can be shared
In addition, it was reported that the personnel participating in via telemedicine, and this practice can be beneficial both in the
medical evacuation tasks had to make special efforts for proper scope of preventive healthcare services and in the treatment
coordination and had to determine the evacuation route. approach, especially in areas where poisonous animals such as
snakes and scorpions are found.
In the current literature, it has been observed that the areas of
specialization desired in these centers are very different from Participants stated that poisoning (4.23 ± 0.89) and approach
the areas we identified in our study. While dermatology was at to open fracture (4.23 ± 0.87) within the scope of non- combat
the forefront of the most requested specialties in other studies, injuries were topics that could be supported the most with
emergency medicine was the most requested specialty in this telemedicine and dislocation reduction (3.97 ± 1.01) the least.
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study (40, 85.10%). It is obvious that our study participants In the literature research, it was found that there are already
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have different desires from those in other studies, especially telemedicine applications and studies on poisonings. The 114
considering the following: Poison Helpline in our country is a good example of telemed-
• Existence of ongoing operations; icine, and its widespread use suggests that similar online and
• Priority of emergency healthcare services; offline applications are now taking place. Sahoo et al. stated
• Healthcare services needed in the initial period of the oper- that telemedicine can be used for rapid diagnosis, especially
ations are far from the primary care services; in acute organophosphate poisonings and concomitant suicide
• Higher demand for emergency healthcare services by res- attempts (alcohol- and drug-induced). As such, these events
ident physicians with field experience more than other can be prevented more effectively. 6
healthcare services; and
• That the ability of emergency medical personnel to recog- In the study, it was found that telemedicine could be used in
nize the nature of disease and non-combat injuries may almost all medical fields. However, its most effective use are
have affected this need. in fields that

16 | JSOM Volume 22, Edition 3 / Fall 2023