What Is Telemedicine: The Right Terms
Televisit
This is a remote video consultation between a doctor and a patient (who may be accompanied by a family member or caregiver). It is used primarily to monitor conditions that were already diagnosed during a previous in-person visit.
Teleconsultation
It is a remote discussion between two or more doctors regarding a clinical case, without the patient’s direct participation: it serves to obtain an additional specialist opinion.
Teleassistance
This is a service provided remotely by a healthcare professional, including nurses, for monitoring and care support (for example, verifying adherence to treatment or parameters collected at home).
Telemonitoring
This involves the remote measurement and transmission of clinical parameters (such as blood pressure or blood glucose levels), which are periodically reviewed by the treating team to adjust the current treatment as needed.
When might a telemedicine consultation be useful?
- Monitoring the progress of an existing treatment plan during an in-person visit
- Review of test results obtained in the meantime
- Update on symptoms or side effects during an ongoing course of treatment
- Support sessions for chronic conditions already being managed by the center
- Follow-up consultations (e.g., nutritional or psychological) that do not require a direct physical examination
When telemedicine is NOT recommended
According to Article 78 of the Code of Medical Ethics, digital tools cannot replace a care relationship based exclusively on remote communication: the initial evaluation of a new health issue must always take place in person to allow for a physical examination of the patient.
Telemedicine is not suitable for urgent or emergency situations. In the event of severe acute symptoms (chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, significant bleeding, or any other symptom that causes concern), do not request a telemedicine consultation: go to the Emergency Room or call 112/118.
How a telemedicine visit works: before, during, and after
Before the appointment
- You will be asked to confirm whether your case is suitable for a remote evaluation at the time of booking
- You will be provided with the platform to use and instructions for accessing it
- It is helpful to send any medical reports, test results, or a list of medications you are currently taking in advance
- You must sign a specific informed consent form for the telemedicine service
During the appointment
- The doctor verifies the patient’s identity at the start of the call
- Symptoms, treatment progress, and any test results submitted are discussed
- If necessary, the doctor may end the telemedicine visit and request an in-person evaluation
After the appointment
- A written report of the consultation is issued, including the agreed-upon recommendations
- Any prescriptions are handled according to the procedures specified by the center
- If necessary, a follow-up appointment—either in person or remotely—is scheduled
What you need to participate in a telemedicine visit
|
Requirement
|
Details
|
|
Device
|
Computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone
|
|
Internet connection
|
A stable connection, preferably Wi-Fi, to avoid interruptions during the call
|
|
Environment
|
A quiet and private place that ensures the confidentiality of the conversation
|
|
Identification document
|
Have it on hand for identity verification at the start of the telemedicine visit
|
|
Medical records
|
Medical reports, recent test results, and a list of medications you are taking, when relevant
|
Informed Consent and Privacy
Before each telemedicine consultation, specific informed consent is required—separate from that for in-person visits—which clearly explains the nature of the service, its limitations, and how health data will be processed. Data processing complies with the GDPR and the guidelines of the Italian Data Protection Authority, with a dedicated, clear, and easily understandable privacy policy.
Patients always have the right to ask for clarification on how their health data is collected, stored, and used as part of the telemedicine service, and may request at any time to be seen in person rather than remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a telemedicine visit equivalent to an in-person visit?
It is a healthcare service in every respect, but with some limitations: the doctor cannot perform a direct physical examination. For this reason, it is generally used for follow-up on previously diagnosed conditions, not for an initial evaluation.
What happens if the connection drops during the appointment?
You will be given instructions on how to be contacted again to complete the evaluation, for example, via a new connection or, if necessary, by phone.
Can I request a telemedicine visit for any health issue?
No: the center will assess, at the time of the request, whether the reported issue is suitable for remote management or requires an in-person visit.
Is my information secure?
The service is organized in compliance with the GDPR and the guidelines issued by the Italian Data Protection Authority regarding telemedicine, with a dedicated privacy notice provided prior to the appointment.
Who to Contact
For information on availability and how to book telemedicine services, please contact the AlleviO₃ administrative office, which will determine whether the reported issue can be managed remotely and provide the necessary technical instructions.
The care remains the same; only the distance changes
AlleviO₃’s telemedicine service was created to make it easier to continue treatment, while always prioritizing the safety and quality of the doctor-patient relationship.
Important note: The information on this page is for general and informational purposes only. The final operating procedures for AlleviO₃’s telemedicine service (specialties covered, platform, costs, booking procedures) will be communicated once the service has been fully activated.
References
This explanatory text summarizes—simplifying them for the general public—the regulatory sources already verified in the internal document “Medical and Nursing Telemedicine Services” (2020 State-Regions Agreement, Article 78 of the Code of Medical Ethics, and 2023–2025 provisions of the Data Protection Authority): Please refer to that document for complete details on the sources and the verifications performed. The content regarding the specific operating procedures of AlleviO₃ (platform, costs, medical specialties available via telemedicine.
