On the morning of December 20, 2024, the Department of Electronic Business and the Instituteof Digital Business & Intelligent Logistics, SCUT, hosted the 46th sessionof the Data Insights Forum in Room 101, B10 Building. Titled RL or URL: ManagingOutpatient (Tele)visits with Strategic Behavior, the lecture was delivered byDr. Wang Shan, an associate professor at the School of Management, Sun Yat-senUniversity, and a recipient of the National Natural Science Foundation ofChina’s Outstanding Young Investigator Program.
The lecture focused on telemedicine services, exploring how healthcare institutionscan optimally balance virtual services (URL, i.e., internet-based services)with traditional in-person services (RL, i.e., real-life services). Dr. Wang highlighted that while telemedicine offers significant convenience to patientsby reducing waiting times and travel costs, its benefits may be offset bysubsequent demands for in-person follow-ups. She emphasized that integratingvirtual and in-person services effectively is critical to improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery, particularly in contexts of scarce and unevenly distributed medical resources.
Throughoutthe lecture, Dr. Wang provided an in-depth analysis of the theoretical foundations of telemedicine services, supported by practical case studies. She discussed challenges in implementation and proposed solutions, stressing thatstrategic interventions could enhance the effectiveness of virtual services,reduce the need for in-person follow-ups, and optimize medical resourceallocation. Her clear and accessible explanations offered attendees acomprehensive and deeper understanding of telemedicine services.
Following the lecture,attendees—faculty and students alike—expressed profound appreciation for thesession. Many noted that the discussion had broadened their academicperspectives and ignited enthusiasm for exploring telemedicine’s potential. The event not only served as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue but alsocatalyzed momentum for future research in this field. As telemedicine continuesto reshape healthcare delivery, Dr. Wang’s insights promise to inspire scholarsworldwide to refine strategies for building efficient, patient-centrichealthcare systems.
