Utility of telemedicine in sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. A rapid review.

Journal: Human behavior and emerging technologies

Volume: 3

Issue: 5

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Investigative Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Zimbabwe Harare Zimbabwe. School of Public Health University of Western Cape Cape Town South Africa. Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering University of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) Kwaluseni Eswatini. ICAP at Columbia University Harare Zimbabwe.

Abstract summary 

Telemedicine is the use of technology to achieve remote care. This review looks at the utility of telemedicine during the pandemic, period March 2020 to February 2021. Eleven articles met inclusion criteria. There was moderate use of telemedicine in sub-Sahara Africa during the pandemic, however, there were also some limitations. Benefits of telemedicine include continuing medical service provision, connecting relatives with loved ones in quarantine, education, and awareness of mental health issues, and toxicovigilance and infection control. Challenges to the implementation of telemedicine on the continent were lack of supporting telemedicine framework and policies, digital barriers, and patient and healthcare personnel biases. To address these challenges, this article proposes the development of policy frameworks that fosters telemedicine use by all stakeholders, including medical insurance organizations, the introduction of telemedicine training of medical workers, educational awareness programs for the public, and improvement of digital platforms access and affordability.

Authors & Co-authors:  Chitungo Itai I Mhango Malizgani M Mbunge Elliot E Dzobo Mathias M Musuka Godfrey G Dzinamarira Tafadzwa T

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Abdel‐Wahab, M. , Rosenblatt, E. , Prajogi, B. , Zubizarretta, E. , & Mikhail, M. (2020). Opportunities in telemedicine, lessons learned after COVID‐19 and the way into the future. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 108(2), 438–443. 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.07.006
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1002/hbe2.297
SSN : 2578-1863
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
rapid review;telemedicine;utility
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States