Markéta Hrubá

Just a few years ago, we would have considered any remote contact between a patient and a doctor via phone or video to be telemedicine. A major turning point in the Czech healthcare system came with the mandatory use of eRecept (e-prescriptions) and, subsequently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear of personal contact at that time accelerated the introduction of the first reimbursed “telemedicine” service by general practitioners.

Recent reports of the repeated use of single-use medical devices in some Czech hospitals have sparked a wave of debate and understandable concerns about patient safety. A closer look at the situation, however, reveals that this is not a matter of isolated failures, but rather a much broader phenomenon. This stems directly from economic pressure on healthcare facilities and likely occurs to varying degrees across the entire sector.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a dream of distant future. As a recently published national survey by the Ministry of Health has shown, modern algorithms are gradually becoming a common feature in Czech hospitals and outpatient clinics. Practical experience clearly demonstrates enormous potential for streamlining care; however, experts also caution against blind enthusiasm. The use of uncertified generative models can pose safety risks to both patients and the entire system.