Telemedicine promise for tomorrow: The role of video synchronous medical consultation in a primary health center (PHC) in a sub-Saharan Africa setting.

Osehobo, Philip; Moye, Pamela M.; Pounds, Teresa I.; Akoria, Obehi

Purpose: To demonstrate the use of telemedicine electronic communications to exchange medical information from one site to another to improve a patient’s clinical and medical care during a remote clinical service. The goals and purpose of this research were centered around improving healthcare delivery in Edo State, Nigeria, by leveraging telemedicine technologies. Methods: This 12-month retrospective case study involved a live, two-way telemedicine primary care service in three rural primary health centers (PHCs) in Edo State. Patients were identified through outreach efforts and met criteria including chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes, lack of access to physicians, and financial barriers to care. Weekly telemedicine visits with USA-based physicians were documented in the electronic health records (EHR), capturing diagnoses, vital metrics, medication adherence, and patient satisfaction. Results: Seventy-five patients (66 % female, mean age 66) participated. Among hypertensive patients, systolic blood pressure (SBP) reductions ranged from 22 mmHg (p < 0.0001) at Oredo and Ukpenu PHCs to 5 mmHg at Ugbor PHC, with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) improvements at most sites. Diabetic patients at Ukpenu PHC showed significant fasting glucose reductions (p < 0.002), but changes were minimal at other PHCs. Conclusion: Telemedicine demonstrated its potential to enhance chronic disease management and healthcare access in resource-limited settings, yielding positive clinical outcomes and high patient satisfaction.

MEDICAL care; RESOURCE-limited settings; DISEASE management; DIASTOLIC blood pressure; ELECTRONIC health records

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2024, Vol 23, Issue 12, p2117

1596-5996

Academic Journal

10.4314/tjpr.v23i12.17