AI usage by doctors to be determined by the State Duma
In a significant move towards modernizing healthcare, Russia has introduced new telemedicine rules effective from September 1, 2025. These changes aim to prioritize patient needs by enhancing remote access to specialists and expert advice while emphasizing convenience, accessibility, and quality in healthcare delivery across the country.
The new rules allow doctors to use artificial intelligence (AI) during remote consultations, provided that the AI system is officially approved. The core principle remains that patients must first have an in-person examination before receiving remote support.
The updated regulations define four formats of telemedicine consultations:
- Doctor-to-doctor remote consultations for emergency, urgent, and planned cases.
- Remote reporting of diagnostic results.
- Patient consultations via telemedicine.
- Remote health monitoring of patients.
Badma Bashankayev, the first deputy chairman of the Russian parliament’s healthcare committee, emphasized that telemedicine focuses on improving accessibility and quality of care, especially benefiting provincial patients, district doctors seeking expert advice, and chronic patients who require monitoring post-surgery. The implementation plan includes connecting hospitals, training doctors, and upgrading technical infrastructure to ensure these changes effectively improve patient care.
It is important to note that these new rules do not specify any changes to the legal framework or regulations governing the practice. The new telemedicine rules in Russia continue to prioritize human interaction, viewing telemedicine as a tool for people rather than gadgets and technology.
In the coming months, patients in Russia may receive a cancer vaccine. However, specific details about the cancer vaccine or its distribution process are not yet available. Doctors in Russia, under the new rules, will have the ability to adjust treatment plans using telemedicine.
These changes mark a significant step forward in the Russian healthcare system, aiming to provide better care and accessibility to patients across the country.
[1] Bashankaev, B. (2025). Report on the new telemedicine rules in Russia. State Duma's health protection committee. [3] Russian Ministry of Health (2025). New telemedicine rules in Russia: Implementation plan. Moscow, Russia.
- The new telemedicine rules in Russia permit doctors to use AI during remote consultations, enhancing the utilization of technology in healthcare delivery, yet prioritizing a human-centric approach that emphasizes quality care.
- As telemedicine evolves in Russia, doctors will have the competence to employ technology, such as AI, to adjust treatment plans, making health-and-wellness solutions more accessible and effective, particularly in remote areas like provinces and rural districts.
