Telemedicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa: Barriers and policy recommendations for Covid-19 and beyond.
Int J Med Inform
; 151: 104467, 2021 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1202311
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Telemedicine has been a useful healthcare alternative in the fight to contain the recent Covid-19 global pandemic. Yet the extent of its application and efficacy as an alternative route for healthcare provision remains a major concern for clinicians and patients.OBJECTIVE:
This study sought to identify barriers to the successful implementation of telemedicine in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.METHOD:
A systematic review of the literature was conducted by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for identifying, selecting, evaluating and interpreting findings.RESULTS:
Our results from 66 empirical studies revealed a wide usage of telemedicine technology across SSA countries but also showed insufficient evidence of usage for fighting Covid-19 infection. Further, technological, organisational, legal and regulatory, individual, financial, and cultural aspects were identified as the major barriers to the successful implementation of telemedicine in SSA. A list of recommendations was produced for each telemedicine barrier.CONCLUSION:
Our review shows current trends in telemedicine application, as well as highlighting critical barriers for consideration by healthcare decision makers. This review offers a number of recommendations to support wider implementation and sustainable usage of telemedicine in SSA.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Telemedicine
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Reviews
/
Systematic review/Meta Analysis
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Med Inform
Journal subject:
Medical Informatics
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.ijmedinf.2021.104467
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