Use of Telehealth to Optimize Access to Critical Specialties: An Intervention Study on the Unsatisfied Demand List of the Endocrinology Service in a Public Hospital.

Estudio de intervención en la lista de demanda insatisfecha del Servicio de Endocrinología de un hospital público

Abstract

Timely access to care with clinical-surgical specialists represents a significant challenge in public health systems. This study evaluates the impact of a Telemedicine intervention implemented over a 4-month period to address the unsatisfied demand in the Endocrinology Service of the Hospital Municipal de Agudos Leónidas Lucero. The intervention targeted a waiting list of 1,315 patients, with appointment wait times of up to 2 years. A total of 875 patients were contacted, of whom 545 underwent a Teleconsultation. Of these, 32% were referred for an in-person endocrinology consultation, while 68% were managed by the telehealth physician. The results showed a significant reduction in wait times, decreasing from 18 to 3 months (an absolute reduction of 83.3%). The most frequent conditions were hypothyroidism (120 cases) and type 2 diabetes (118 cases). A total of 95% of patients connected to their appointments on time, and 67% required additional telephone support. The implementation of Telemedicine not only optimized demand management but also improved patient preparedness for in-person consultations, ensuring updated diagnostic tests and the initiation of treatment when necessary. This model demonstrates the effectiveness of Telehealth as a tool to reduce waiting lists and improve access to specialized care.