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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Medical and economic benefits of telehealth in low- and middle-income countries: Results of a study in four district hospitals in Mali
BMC Health Services Research, Volume 14, No. SUPPL.1, Article S9, Year 2014
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Description
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of telehealth on 1) the diagnosis, and management in obstetrics and cardiology, 2) health care costs from patients' perspectives, 3) attendance at health centres located in remote areas of Mali. Methods. The impact of telehealth on health care utilization, quality, and costs was assessed using a five-point Likert-scale based questionnaire consisting of three dimensions. It was completed by health care professionals in four district hospitals. The role of telehealth on attendance at health centres was also assessed based on data collected from the consultations logs before and during the project, between project sites and control sites. Referrals specific to the activities of the research study were also evaluated using a questionnaire to measure the real share of telehealth tools in increasing attendance at project sites. Finally, the cost savings achieved was estimated using the transport and lodging costs incurred if patients were to travel to the capital city for the same tests or care. Results: The telehealth activities contributed to improving medical diagnoses in cardiology and obstetrics (92.6%) and the patients' management system on site (96.2%). The attendance records at health centres increased from 8 to 35% at all project sites during the study period. Patients from project sites saved an average of 12380 XOF (CFA Francs) or 25 USD (American dollar) and a maximum of 35000 XOF or 70 USD compared to patients from neighbouring sites, who must go to the capital city to receive the same care. Conclusion: We conclude that in Mali, enhanced training in ultrasound / electrocardiography and the introduction of telehealth have improved the health system in remote areas and resulted in high levels of appropriate diagnosis and patient management in the areas of obstetrics and cardiology. Telehealth can also significantly reduce the cost to the patient. © 2014 Bagayoko et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Bagayoko, Cheick Oumar
Mali, Bamako
Université de Bamako
Mali, Bamako
Hôpital Mère Enfant
Traoré, Diakaridia
Mali, Bamako
Université de Bamako
Mali, Bamako
Hôpital Mère Enfant
Thevoz, Laurence
Switzerland, Geneva
Université de Genève
Diabaté, Soumahila
Mali, Bamako
Hôpital Mère Enfant
Pecoul, David
Switzerland, Geneva
Université de Genève
Niang, Mahamoudan
Mali, Bamako
Hôpital Mère Enfant
Bediang, Georges
Switzerland, Geneva
Université de Genève
Traoré, Seydou Tidiane
Mali, Bamako
Hôpital Mère Enfant
Anne, Abdrahamane
Mali, Bamako
Université de Bamako
Mali, Bamako
Hôpital Mère Enfant
Geissb̈uhler, Antoine J.
Switzerland, Geneva
Université de Genève
Statistics
Citations: 91
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1472-6963-14-S1-S9
e-ISSN:
14726963
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Locations
Mali