Telemedicina en tempos de crisis sanitaria: lecciones aprendidas de la pandemia Covid 19.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly accelerated the adoption of telemedicine as a fundamental strategy to ensure continuity of care. In a context marked by lockdowns, hospital saturation, and high infection risk, remote medical care enabled clinical follow-up for chronic conditions, provided mental health support, and ensured access to healthcare for vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations. This narrative review analyzes the key lessons learned regarding the use of telemedicine during the health crisis, with a particular focus on the Ecuadorian context. The methodology was based on a narrative review of national and international scientific literature published between 2020 and 2024, in both Spanish and English. Biomedical databases and reports from international organizations were consulted, selecting studies that addressed clinical, ethical, regulatory, and technological aspects of telemedicine during the pandemic. Findings reveal that although telemedicine offered effective and adaptable solutions, its implementation was limited by gaps in connectivity, insufficient regulations, and limited digital literacy among healthcare personnel. It is concluded that telemedicine represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen post-pandemic health systems, provided that inclusive policies are adopted, digital infrastructure is improved, and equity in access to healthcare is prioritized