TELENURSING – A POSSIBILITY IN A PANDEMIC

The inclusion of modern technological resources has changed the dynamics of nursing care. It seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of patient care, especially for the chronically ill and those living in remote and sparsely populated areas. The aim of the present study is to explore the possibilities of telenursing in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. A search was conducted in the databases of ScienceDirect Database, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, PubMed, as well as in the official websites of various governmental and non-governmental institutions. The search was conducted from 1 October 2020 to 20 November 2020 on the keywords 'Telenursing' or 'Telenurse' and 'Coronavirus' or 'COVID-19'. Results. A literature review was made, in which the various positive aspects of telemedicine were considered and analyzed, such as home care, telephone consultations, telephone triage, and mental health care for patients. The benefits in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed. In addition, existing restrictions on telenursing as a number of legal, ethical and regulatory barriers have been explored. Conclusion. Telenursing is a developing field and with the advent of new technologies, the scope of nurses' practice is expanding. This is an opportunity to fill the gap created by the current shortage of nurses. In times of pandemic, telenursing is a way for patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19, those with chronic illnesses, and the elderly to stay at home and receive quality health care