Submission ID 118385
| Issue/Objective | Telemedicine has changed healthcare by increasing access to diagnosis consultations and treatment options. These services are limited in low-resource regions. This exposes barriers such as limited digital structures, poor internet connectivity, and limited digital literacy. Objectives This paper aims to: - Determine existing gaps in digital healthcare delivery systems globally and its effect on health security in low income settings - Identify barriers to telemedicine access in low resource regions - Identify scalable and sustainable AI tools into PHC delivery in low resource regions - review strategies that increase equitable access to telemedicine in underserved regions, addressing technological, economic, and policy-related challenges. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This paper is a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature from 2015 to 2024. It identifies strategies that work in increasing access to telemedicine tools. Key themes include digital tool development, mobile health (mHealth) interventions, affordable internet solutions, and capacity-building innovations for use for both healthcare providers and patients. Successful modelling of these tools usually leverage low-cost mobile technologies and multi-sectoral collaboration, to enhance healthcare accessibility. |
| Results | Findings highlight that telemedicine uptake in low-resource settings goes beyond deploying the technology. There's a need for the platforms to be user-friendly, and contextually correct in terms of the cultural environment and the development of digital education materials, and finally, the need for policy frameworks that support the sustainability of its implementation. Aside from that, financing mechanisms should be innovative and accessible. Subsidized internet services and donor-funded telehealth programs are key mechanisms to mitigate this. This would be instrumental in closing the digital gap. However, despite these telemedicine tools, there are still challenges such as data privacy concerns and resistance to digital transformation. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations and channel resources to more research to scale up equitable telemedicine access, especially in under-resourced regions. This would establish structures to provide regular support and investments in these sectors by increasing digital literacy and ensuring telehealth models are scalable and locally adopted. This ensures sustainable digital health solutions and promotes safer global health. Collaboration, regulatory support, and investment in digital literacy programs are crucial. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Esther Oyintofe Oduyingbo Africa Hub for Innovation and Development Hafsah Abdulsalaam Africa Hub for Innovation and Development Adedamola Bafuwa Africa Hub for Innovation and Development Esther Oyintofe Oduyingbo Africa Hub for Innovation and Development |
