A Telemedicine project entitled “Telemedicine in the healthcare management of frail elderly patients with severe osteoporosis” has been launched at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine.
The project is being carried out at the geriatrics outpatient clinic of Sant’Andrea University Hospital.
The project stems from the need to offer a structured and innovative care model for a particularly vulnerable population, often characterized by mobility difficulties, comorbidities, and the need for constant clinical monitoring.
- Project objectives
The initiative aims to:
- ensure more frequent clinical follow-up through teleconsultation and televisit tools;
- monitor adherence to prescribed therapies over time;
- detect any clinical issues early on;
- reduce inappropriate hospital admissions and complications related to the disease.
The indicators assessed include treatment adherence, reduction in exacerbations and fractures, and improvement in the patient's perceived quality of life.
- Operating modes
Patients eligible for telemedicine services are identified through three main pathways:
- During outpatient visits, when difficulties in accessing healthcare services are identified due to adverse health events occurring between visits, which may have reduced the patient’s mobility and autonomy.
- Through telephone or email contact initiated by the patients themselves, who report difficulties in attending appointments or scheduling follow-up visits.
- When only the caregiver attends the visit, because the patient is chronically unable to leave their home or the residential care facility where they live.
- Expected benefits for patients and caregivers
The aim of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a telemedicine-based approach in the management of patients at high risk of fragility fractures or currently undergoing treatment for secondary prevention. The effectiveness will be assessed in terms of patient satisfaction, as well as improvements in follow-up and adherence to therapy
- Prospects
The project represents an experimental model that could form the basis for future expansion into other clinical areas and a wider population of frail patients, contributing to the development of innovative and sustainable care pathways.