Internet shutdowns seriously hinder doctors’ work in Russia, survey results show

Internet shutdowns seriously hinder doctors’ work in Russia, survey results show

The “Doctor’s Handbook” app conducted a survey on how mobile internet shutdowns affect the availability and quality of medical care. It was completed by 1,627 specialist doctors, Forbes writes.

🔹More than half of the survey participants, 54%, said that mobile internet shutdowns at their workplace had become a regular problem for them. Several people noted that their medical organization does not provide wired internet, so the mobile shutdown completely “cut them off” from their usual work rhythm.

🔹59% of respondents are unable, at the needed moment, to clarify information about a drug or treatment method.

🔹Another 56% said they had lost the ability to view clinical decision support reference systems at their workplace, while another 49% lost access to medical databases and scientific publications. Every third respondent (33%) cannot transmit patient data into the system or receive test results, while another 40% cannot contact colleagues or patients.

🔹The shutdowns also affected patients: 35% of surveyed doctors had encountered situations where a patient could not book an appointment, and the same share said the patient could not call or write at the needed moment.

🔹Another 30% report that patients did not receive test results through their personal account because of the lack of internet, while 29% said that because of communication difficulties patients sought help later than they should have.

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