What is Telemedicine

Imagine living on a small island or in a remote mountain village. You fall ill or face a health issue, but the nearest specialist is hours away — or completely unavailable. What do you do?

Telemedicine provides the answer to this challenge. It is a system that allows a specialist to examine you from a distance, using a digital screen and specialized medical devices that measure your blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and other vital signs — all in real time. The doctor sees your results instantly, exactly as if they were right there beside you.

What problem does it solve?

In Greece, particularly on the islands and in remote mountain regions, citizens have faced a fundamental obstacle for years: geography. Going to a specialist means travel, cost, time off work, and sometimes an overnight stay. For the elderly and the sick, this is often impossible.

EDIT — the National Telemedicine Network — was created precisely to give all Greeks, regardless of where they live, equal access to primary healthcare.

How it works

EDIT is not simply a video call with a doctor. It is a structured system that connects hospitals, Health Centers, and regional clinics with specialist doctors of the national health system (ESY). You go to your local clinic or Health Center, a nurse examines you using the specialized instruments, and at the same time the specialist doctor — who may be located in a hospital in Athens or Rhodes — sees the results and speaks to you directly.

What Are the Benefits for You as a Citizen?

You save time and money:
You do not need to travel to another island or city to see a specialist.
You get an immediate response:
The consultation takes place in real time. You do not have to wait weeks for an appointment.
You are safer:
For vulnerable groups — elderly people and patients with chronic conditions — telemedicine reduces psychological and financial burden while limiting unnecessary travel to hospitals.
You have the same rights as everyone else:
The Constitution states that all citizens have the right to healthcare services, regardless of where they live. Telemedicine turns this right into reality.

Τι είναι η Τηλεϊατρική

What health problems can telemedicine help with?

Which health problems telemedicine helps with — EDIT

Cardiology

Arrhythmias High blood pressure ECG Cardiac risk

The immediate assessment of urgent cardiac cases has proven vital for the patient’s health and for deciding whether a medical transfer is needed.

Chronic conditions

Diabetes COPD Thyroid Hypertension

The specialist regularly monitors the measurements and adjusts the treatment without the need to travel each time.

Dermatology

Lesions Rashes Suspicious spots

Through a high-resolution camera, the dermatologist sees with precision and assesses whether further examination is needed.

Neurology

Headaches Dizziness Neurological symptoms

Symptoms that require assessment by a neurologist — without weeks of waiting for an appointment in an urban center.

Mental health

Psychiatry Anxiety Depression Insomnia

EDIT supports remote psychiatry — a field where the shortage of specialists in the regions is particularly acute.

Pulmonology

Asthma Shortness of breath COPD O₂ saturation

Oxygen saturation measurement and assessment by a pulmonologist in real time — without travel.

What telemedicine does not cover

Emergencies that require immediate physical intervention — trauma, strokes, an acute heart attack in progress. In these cases, the emergency services (call 166 in Greece) are always the first step.

Telemedicine in practice

Telemedicine in Practice — EDIT

The following are representative scenarios that reflect how EDIT operates in everyday practice.

The elderly woman with diabetes

Lipsi, Dodecanese

Before A trip to Rhodes every 2–3 months. Cost, exhaustion, delays. Follow-up care was not happening regularly.

Now She goes to the local clinic. The nurse measures blood sugar, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. The internist adjusts the treatment and issues a prescription immediately.

Regular monitoring — drastically reduces the risk of complications

The cardiac emergency

Pserimos, Dodecanese

Before Chest pain. No specialist on the island. The only option: medical transfer — costly and distressing.

Now ECG performed by the local nurse, transmitted in real time to a cardiologist in Athens. Assessment: no transfer was needed.

The patient left with instructions and a prescription — without an unnecessary trip

The child with a rash

Symi, Dodecanese

Before A 4-year-old with a sudden rash. No pediatrician or dermatologist on the island. The parents were left with no options and in distress.

Now High-resolution photos taken by the nurse. The pediatrician assessed immediately: allergic reaction.

Electronic prescription issued — no transfer needed

The worker with chronic anxiety

Ikaria, North Aegean

Before Insomnia and severe anxiety. No psychiatrist on the island. Traveling for psychiatric care from a small island is difficult — both logistically and psychologically.

Now Assessment via EDIT telepsychiatry. Diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription — with full privacy.

No stigma, no travel — mental health care reaches the patient