Telemedicine Implementation in Italy’s National Health Service: Current Status and Future Prospects

The SSN has undergone significant changes since its establishment, governed by three key laws that have shaped its structure and operation. Currently organized at three different levels—central, regional, and local—the SSN represents a substantial portion of the national budget and requires ongoing implementation and expansion efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for innovative solutions to meet the demand for healthcare services, prompting the exploration of telemedicine as a viable option. The use of technological resources, particularly telemedicine, has emerged as a crucial strategy to address two fundamental challenges in healthcare: providing necessary treatments to a larger number of patients and ensuring their safety by minimizing unnecessary assembly and hospital visits. This article focuses on an ongoing domain-oriented data collection aimed at estimating the activation and implementation of specific telemedicine tools within the SSN. The research aims to assess the current status of telemedicine implementation and explore its future prospects in Italy's healthcare system. By leveraging telemedicine, the SSN can enhance access to care, improve efficiency, and mitigate the challenges posed by the complex healthcare landscape, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings from this research will contribute to the advancement of telemedicine in Italy's National Health Service, informing policy decisions and strategies for the effective integration of telemedicine tools. By harnessing the power of technology, the SSN can address the increasing demand for healthcare services while ensuring the safety and well-being of the population.