Table 3 Digital nurses’ participation through primary, secondary, and tertiary care
Care level | % of cases (n) | Pipeline | Chief complaint |
|---|---|---|---|
Primary n = 3666 (87.4%) | 20.1% (842) | Nurse-only guidance by chat, supported by health protocols (nurse online) | Runny nose, common cold |
43.9% (1840) | Nurse and doctor discussion, guidance by chat (physician and nurse online) | Sore throat/bacterial amygdalitis | |
17.3% (725) | Nurse triage and video call with physician (nurse and physician online) | Lack of clear communication, need for differential diagnosis | |
6.2% (259) | Nurse triage, discussion with physician as needed, and referral to in-person physical examination (Alice onsite) | Cough and fever for 6 days, pneumonia | |
Secondary n = 250 (6.0%) | 4.6% (192) | Nurse triage, discussion with physician as needed, and digital medical report (nurse and specialist online) | Skin and visual complaints |
1.4% (58) | Nurse triage, discussion with physician as needed, and referral to specialist (nurse and specialist office) | Shoulder pain/rotator cuff lesion in MRI | |
Tertiary n = 277 (6.6%) | 6.4% (267) | Nurse triage, discussion with physician as needed, and referral to emergency room (urgent care) | Intense back pain/renal colic |
0.24% (10) | Nurse triage, discussion with physician as needed, and referral to emergency room by ambulance (emergent care) | Thoracic pain, myocardial infarction |