Impact and effectiveness of medical technology in the areas of physiotherapy and clinical laboratory

Abstract

Telehealth has emerged as a key strategy in the transformation of healthcare services, driven by exponential technological advances in the health field. This study aimed to analyze the impact and effectiveness of telehealth in the areas of physiotherapy and clinical laboratory services through a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines and the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) framework. The literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, using the DeCS and MeSH thesauri. Studies published between 2019 and 2024, in English and Spanish, with full-text access, were included. The selection and evaluation of 22 articles was performed independently by two reviewers, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer. Relevant data on the type of technology, application, outcomes, and study population were extracted. The findings indicate that telephysiotherapy offers clinical outcomes comparable to conventional rehabilitation in patients with chronic musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases, with additional advantages in accessibility, resource optimization, and treatment adherence. In the clinical laboratory, the incorporation of technologies such as artificial intelligence, deep learning, and information systems has improved the efficiency of test management, diagnostic quality, and access to services, although some predictive models still require robust clinical validation. It is concluded that society demands a shift in the healthcare model, pointing toward the use of telehealth as a comprehensive strategy in the fields of physiotherapy and clinical laboratory science, where significant progress has been documented.