Evaluation of the Efficiency of Telemedicine in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases in Primary Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Medico-Economic Study in Cameroon.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of tele-expertise (tele-ECG) for patients and for health facilities in managing patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in primary health care in Cameroon. METHOD: This study was a medico-economic study combining two approaches: cost minimization and cost-effectiveness analysis. It was conducted alongside the previous published controlled multicenter study carried out in Cameroon's two health facilities where tele-ECG has been implemented (intervention centres) and two other where telemedicine has been not implemented (control centres). RESULTS: The average total cost for patients was 9 286 F CFA (US$: 16) in the intervention centres compared to 28 357 F CFA (US$: 49) in the control centres (p <0.01). The calculated ICER favouring tele-ECG was 25 459.6 F CFA (US$: 44). DISCUSSION: Telemedicine is efficient for managing patients with CVDs in primary health care in Cameroon. It enables health facilities in remote areas to offer new healthcare services at a lower cost and improve patients' financial access to healthcare.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Telemedicine in the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases in Primary Health Care in Cameroon: An Interventional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tele-expertise (tele-ECG) in primary health care in Cameroon for the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases or risk factors. METHOD: It is a controlled multicenter study carried out in Cameroon's two health facilities where tele-ECG has been implemented (intervention centers) and two other where telemedicine has been not implemented (control centers). Patients having cardiovascular risk factors or diseases received usual primary health care in the control centers. In contrast, they received usual primary health care and could perform an ECG associated with cardiologists' remote expertise (tele-ECG) in the intervention centers. The primary outcome was to evaluate the rate of patients' access to an ECG test and to cardiologist' expertise. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Telemedicine is effective for the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases in primary health care. It could improve healthcare providers' clinical processes, clinical outcomes of patients and their satisfaction.

Partially absorbed cataractous lens in the anterior chamber revealing neglected severe ocular contusion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ocular contusion can produce severe lesions, which if not treated appropriately and promptly, can lead to visual impairment. Ocular contusion in childhood may not be reported by children. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27 year old female presented with a partially absorbed cataractous lens that was dislocated into the anterior chamber of her left eye. There was mild anterior chamber reaction. She reported no history of ocular trauma; but associated findings and further investigations were in favour of a post-traumatic aetiology. CONCLUSION: All ocular injuries require a detailed ophthalmological examination to assess vision and the extent of lesions.

Computer literacy and E-learning perception in Cameroon: the case of Yaounde Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

BACKGROUND: Health science education faces numerous challenges: assimilation of knowledge, management of increasing numbers of learners or changes in educational models and methodologies. With the emergence of e-learning, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and Internet to improve teaching and learning in health science training institutions has become a crucial issue for low and middle income countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. In this perspective, the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS) of Yaoundé has played a pioneering role in Cameroon in making significant efforts to improve students' and lecturers' access to computers and to Internet on its campus.The objective is to investigate how computer literacy and the perception towards e-learning and its potential could contribute to the learning and teaching process within the FMBS academic community. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among students, residents and lecturers. The data was gathered through a written questionnaire distributed at FMBS campus and analysed with routine statistical software. RESULTS: 307 participants answered the questionnaire: 218 students, 57 residents and 32 lecturers. Results show that most students, residents and lecturers have access to computers and Internet, although students' access is mainly at home for computers and at cyber cafés for Internet. Most of the participants have a fairly good mastery of ICT. However, some basic rules of good practices concerning the use of ICT in the health domain were still not well known. Google is the most frequently used engine to retrieve health literature for all participants; only 7% of students and 16% of residents have heard about Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).The potential of e-learning in the improvement of teaching and learning still remains insufficiently exploited. About two thirds of the students are not familiar with the concept of e-leaning. 84% of students and 58% of residents had never had access to e-learning resources. However, most of the participants perceive the potential of e-learning for learning and teaching, and are in favour of its development at the FMBS. CONCLUSION: The strong interest revealed by the study participants to adopt and follow-up the development of e-learning, opens new perspectives to a faculty like the FMBS, located in a country with limited resources. However, the success of its development will depend on different factors: the definition of an e-learning strategy, the implementation of concrete measures and the adoption of a more active and participative pedagogy.