Research on Assessment Mechanism of Online Diagnosis and Treatment Behavior in China

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Due to the rapid development of the Internet and Internet of Things technology, as well as the catalysis of the COVID-19 epidemic and the favorable policy environment, China's online medical services has developed rapidly. But some serious problems also emerged, such as diseases diagnosis and treatment by artificial intelligence instead of by clinicians on some online medical service platforms, drugs prescribing before prescriptions, patient information leaking, etc. The assessment of drugs using health technology assessment (HTA) methods has been matured in recent years in China, but the assessment mechanism of online diagnosis and treatment behavior is still blank. This study plans to fill this gap. Method(s) Assessment mechanism of Chinese guide for medicine comprehensive evaluation and Guidance of Deliberative process for HTA were used as references. The framework was developed based on input-throughput-output model and was subjected to two rounds of consultation using Delphi method. Members with different backgrounds, perspectives and expertise relevant to online medical services were included to ensure the representativeness of the framework. Result(s) A framework for assessment mechanism of online diagnosis and treatment behavior was developed, which consists of the assess reasons, objects, organizations, time, participants and methods of all types of online diagnosis and treatment behaviors. Conclusion(s) This framework for assessment mechanism of online diagnosis and treatment behavior clarified the dimensions and indicators of online diagnosis and treatment behavior from the perspectives of medical security, network security, service quality, economy, and appropriateness, as well as the entire process of assessment operations. it is in line with Chinese policy requirements and will provide useful tool for the governments, medical institutions and research establishments. Copyright © 2022