We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Review
Analysis of the virtual healthcare model in Latin America: a systematic review of current challenges and barriers.
MHealth 2024
BACKGROUND: The virtual care model can be used in all aspects of healthcare, such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of most medical and surgical conditions. The objective of this study was to identify the current barriers to implementing and consolidating the virtual healthcare model, of "telemedicine", in Latin American countries.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted through four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health, including articles in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. A combination of Boolean operators was used with the terms "telemedicine", "telehealth", "telecare", "home care services", "remote care" and the name of each Latin American country. Articles published from January 2020 to January 2023 that reported on the barriers and challenges of using the virtual care model were included.
RESULTS: Nineteen articles were included. Brazil (n=5) and Argentina (n=4) were the countries where there was the greatest interest to explore barriers to virtual care. The barriers identified were categorized into five main themes: (I) technological and technical issues; (II) absence of a physical examination; (III) patient's negative perceptions; (IV) negative perceptions among healthcare professionals; and (V) structural obstacles and those associated with the healthcare system. The main obstacles reported were connectivity problems, lack of a complete physical examination, issues of privacy, high risk of medical malpractice, and absence of local regulation.
CONCLUSIONS: The virtual care model is a safe and cost-effective alternative for the delivery of health services, with multiple benefits for patients and their families. The indication for the use of virtual care should be based on a risk model for patient prioritization. Likewise, the analysis of the main barriers and benefits is fundamental to consolidating this model of care and ensuring its expansion in the region.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted through four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health, including articles in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. A combination of Boolean operators was used with the terms "telemedicine", "telehealth", "telecare", "home care services", "remote care" and the name of each Latin American country. Articles published from January 2020 to January 2023 that reported on the barriers and challenges of using the virtual care model were included.
RESULTS: Nineteen articles were included. Brazil (n=5) and Argentina (n=4) were the countries where there was the greatest interest to explore barriers to virtual care. The barriers identified were categorized into five main themes: (I) technological and technical issues; (II) absence of a physical examination; (III) patient's negative perceptions; (IV) negative perceptions among healthcare professionals; and (V) structural obstacles and those associated with the healthcare system. The main obstacles reported were connectivity problems, lack of a complete physical examination, issues of privacy, high risk of medical malpractice, and absence of local regulation.
CONCLUSIONS: The virtual care model is a safe and cost-effective alternative for the delivery of health services, with multiple benefits for patients and their families. The indication for the use of virtual care should be based on a risk model for patient prioritization. Likewise, the analysis of the main barriers and benefits is fundamental to consolidating this model of care and ensuring its expansion in the region.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Obesity pharmacotherapy in older adults: a narrative review of evidence.International Journal of Obesity 2024 May 7
Haemodynamic monitoring during noncardiac surgery: past, present, and future.Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing 2024 April 31
SGLT2 Inhibitors in Kidney Diseases-A Narrative Review.International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2024 May 2
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app