- The UNE 179011 Standard specifies the minimum requirements to specify the remote consultation service. Modalities, associated technology, healthcare process and service quality assessment are some aspects covered by this technical standard.
Madrid, 22 May 2023 - The Spanish Association for Standardization, UNE, has held a meeting today to present a new standard that establishes the minimum requirements to be met by remote consultation services provided by private, public or mixed management organisations, and this way ensure that patients receive proper services. UNE Standard 179011 Health services. Teleconsultation addresses aspects such as modalities, healthcare services, associated technology, the healthcare process and the quality assessment of the remote consultation service.
The UNE Committee on Quality and Safety in Healthcare Centres (CTN-UNE 179), aware of the inclusion of remote consultations within healthcare, has created a working group to reach an agreement on the requirements for the providers of these services to guarantee the quality and security of the communications established, as well as all the information and documentation required.
This working group invited all parties involved, such as the Ministry of Health, the Health Departments of the 17 Autonomous Communities, private teleconsultation service providers, technology companies and developers of remote consultation applications and programmes; professional associations in the field of healthcare; as well as associations and public and private entities working in the area of personal autonomy and people with disabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the rapid adoption of remote consultations, mainly to reduce the risk of infection, but also because it allowed many patients to easily consult doctors from the comfort of their own home. Its use among healthcare professionals and patients has been growing in order to provide more people with access to healthcare, reduce wait times and avoid unnecessary travel. However, not all healthcare consultations can be carried out remotely.
Attending the event were Paloma García, Antonio Torres and Cristina Hernán from UNE; Yolanda Agra, from the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health; Rosa Arroyo, of the General Council of Official Medical Associations; Mira Bagüés, from Tunstall Ibérica; Roberto Martín, from Quirónsalud; and Mónica García, from the Sant Joan d'Alacant University Hospital.
Beginnings of teleconsultation
Teleconsultation first appeared in the nineteenth century, thanks to the technological developments taking place since Antonio Meucci invented the telephone. At first, it was used only for very specific cases, and almost exclusively for emergency situations. However, new technology devices for general use, such as computers, the internet, wireless connections and the common use of mobile phones have made patients more willing to use the service.
