1. Telemedicine in Peru and Nicaragua: an empirical analysis

2. Telemedicine Definition:
Different communication-based solutions that enable isolated/scattered populations to have access to remote health services
Most efforts in rural areas haven’t worked due to:
Lack of infrastructure
Poor purchasing capacity
Difficulties in accessing maintenance & repair

3. This Paper’s Study
Empirical analysis dealing with consultation, information, and training needs of health staff in rural areas of developing countries in order to identify those needs that can be improved by accessible communication networks

4. Important terms Health Center (HC) Health Post (HP) Located in towns
Have access to telephone networks
Headed by physicians
Have some infrastructure, equipment for diagnostic tests and some allow hospitalization
Health Post (HP)
Are under HPs
Are in small towns (no more than 1000 inhabitants)
Have no telephone lines
Badly endowed with road infrastructures

5. Study Areas (1998 – 2002) Study involved:
conducting personal interviews guided by a
questionnaire on all stuff found at each area

6. Focus of Questionnaire

7. Class discussion Comment on the comprehensiveness of the questionnaire
Is it sufficient?
Are there ways it could be improved?
Is it an overkill?

8. Results
Primary health system are inefficient due to difficulties in sharing information. Sample telecommunication constraints include:

9. Class discussion
Comment on the applicability of these results to other rural areas in the world?
Is it necessary to conduct similar studies in other parts of the world that need telemedicine in their rural areas?

10. Future Telemedicine Systems
There is a need for telemedicine systems in rural areas that meet these criteria:

11. Future Telemedicine Systems

12. Class discussion
What is your opinion regarding these conditions?