TY - JOUR
T1 - Cabo Verde telemedicine program
T2 - initial results of nationwide implementation
AU - Latifi, Rifat
AU - Dasho, Erion
AU - Merrell, Ronald C.
AU - Lopes, Miguel
AU - Azevedo, Vanda
AU - Bekteshi, Flamur
AU - Osmani, Kalterina L.
AU - Qesteri, Orland
AU - Kucani, Julian
AU - Lecaj, Ismet
PY - 2014/11/1
Y1 - 2014/11/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Telemedicine and e-health have been suggested as one solution for closing the health disparity gap between the developed world and the developing world. Yet evidence is lacking from current successful programs in the developing world and, in particular, from sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objective of our study was to present the preliminary results of our efforts in building the Integrated Telemedicine and e-Health Program for Cabo Verde (ITeHP-CV), with an emphasis on initial utilization and results.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of data collected while we worked to establish a fully functional, integrated national telemedicine network and virtual education network in Cabo Verde. We used the International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation strategic approach known as "initiate-build-operate-transfer" over a 26-month period (November 2011-December 2013). We describe herein the five main pillars of this process that have been implemented: (1) capacity building; (2) network development and deployment of equipment; (3) implementation of clinical telemedicine; (4) implementation of activities related to continuing medical education, delivered from within the country and from abroad; and (5) establishment and use of the electronic virtual library.RESULTS: Based on comprehensive technical and medical assessment of the country's needs, 10 fully functional telemedicine centers in all nine inhabited islands of the Republic of Cabo Verde have been established. RESULTS are presented under the five main pillars of capacity building, network deployment, implementation of clinical telemedicine, implementation of continuing medical education activities, and establishment of the electronic virtual library.CONCLUSIONS: The ITeHP-CV has been successfully launched, and the initial results are encouraging. The continuity of the program and sustainability are primary goals once the program is transferred fully to the Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde. A long-term follow-up study is required in order to ensure sustainability and continuity goals are met.
AB - BACKGROUND: Telemedicine and e-health have been suggested as one solution for closing the health disparity gap between the developed world and the developing world. Yet evidence is lacking from current successful programs in the developing world and, in particular, from sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objective of our study was to present the preliminary results of our efforts in building the Integrated Telemedicine and e-Health Program for Cabo Verde (ITeHP-CV), with an emphasis on initial utilization and results.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of data collected while we worked to establish a fully functional, integrated national telemedicine network and virtual education network in Cabo Verde. We used the International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation strategic approach known as "initiate-build-operate-transfer" over a 26-month period (November 2011-December 2013). We describe herein the five main pillars of this process that have been implemented: (1) capacity building; (2) network development and deployment of equipment; (3) implementation of clinical telemedicine; (4) implementation of activities related to continuing medical education, delivered from within the country and from abroad; and (5) establishment and use of the electronic virtual library.RESULTS: Based on comprehensive technical and medical assessment of the country's needs, 10 fully functional telemedicine centers in all nine inhabited islands of the Republic of Cabo Verde have been established. RESULTS are presented under the five main pillars of capacity building, network deployment, implementation of clinical telemedicine, implementation of continuing medical education activities, and establishment of the electronic virtual library.CONCLUSIONS: The ITeHP-CV has been successfully launched, and the initial results are encouraging. The continuity of the program and sustainability are primary goals once the program is transferred fully to the Ministry of Health of Cabo Verde. A long-term follow-up study is required in order to ensure sustainability and continuity goals are met.
KW - Cabo Verde
KW - International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation
KW - clinical telemedicine
KW - telemedicine
KW - telemedicine in island
KW - “initiate–build–operate–transfer” approach
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U2 - 10.1089/tmj.2014.0026
DO - 10.1089/tmj.2014.0026
M3 - Article
C2 - 25083737
AN - SCOPUS:84988878459
SN - 1530-5627
VL - 20
SP - 1027
EP - 1034
JO - Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association
JF - Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association
IS - 11
ER -