LEGAL FUNDAMENTALS OF USING TELEMEDICINE TECHNOLOGIES IN MUNICIPAL HEALTHCARE DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC: PROBLEMS, OPPORTUNITIES, PROSPECTS

Abstract

Problem formulation. The COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed limitations revealed serious shortcomings in healthcare provision to certain categories of citizens, thus violating their constitutional rights to healthcare and medical help. Telemedicine technologies and remote patient monitoring systems could help solve the problem in a timely manner. So far, the introduction of such technologies is not yet properly regulated by law. The main problems here arise while providing free medical help to citizens within the compulsory health insurance system due to the incomplete legal regulation of the transition period before the development of the Unified State System in the field of healthcare.
A specific scientific task allowing to solve a scientific problem. The research purpose was to explore the legal problems arising at the municipal level of healthcare provision in telemedicine technologies implementation, and ways to solve them.
Methodological framework. In the course of the research, the federal and regional legislation of the Russian Federation, regulating local governments activities in the field of healthcare, was considered.
Research methods. Forma-legal and comparative-legal methods, quite traditional for legal science, were used in the research.
Key research results. As a result of exploring the RF federal and regional legislation regulating the use of distance medical technologies, legal regulatory specifics of their implementation in the healthcare sector were analyzed. The author proposed particular ways of legal regulation of the phased introduction of telemedicine technologies at the level of municipal medical institutions.
Findings. The introduction of telemedicine technologies into clinical practice at municipal level is hampered for a number of reasons, one of the main ones being the incomplete legal regulation of the field. Consequently, the quality and availability of medical aid decreased. This problem can be resolved only when legal norms, providing for a new healthcare system and ensuring efficient use of the existing systems during the transition period, are introduced into the Russian legislation.