La telemedicina en centros no especializados en Latinoamérica: revisión bibliográfica

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine is a complementary healthcare tool. Through information and communication technologies, remote medical centers that lack specialized professionals are connected, overcoming barriers such as distance and transportation. In Latin America, it has been implemented in several countries, such as Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, and Argentina, among others. This review details the different services telemedicine provides in non-specialized centers, the challenges, necessary equipment, guidelines for its implementation, and the impact generated by this service.

Objective: To describe the different services that telemedicine can provide in non-specialized centers in Latin America.

Methodology: A bibliographic review of the literature in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Springer.

Conclusion: Telemedicine facilitates the distribution of specialized services throughout Latin America by synchronous and asynchronous interconsultations. The results obtained benefit patients’ health in rural communities with great satisfaction and acceptability, overcoming barriers such as distance. However, it is necessary to recognize difficulties in its implementation, including connectivity, infrastructure, and trained personnel for its management, among others.