Telehealth in the Amazon Region in Latin America: an Overview

  • Alaneir Fatima Santos MD, Professor, Coordinator of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Claudio Souza Souza MD, Professor, Coordinator of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Monica Pena Abreu Occupational therapist. Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
  • Cleinaldo Almeida Costa MD, Professor, Coordinator of Telehealth Center, Dean of the Amazon State University (UEA).
  • Maria do Carmo Barros Melo MD. Professor. Telehealth Center of Medicine School of Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Rosalia Morais Torres MD, Professor, Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Aline Costa Pereira Nurse. Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Neuslene Rievrs Queiroz Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Humberto José Alves Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Keywords: Telemedicine, Amazonian Ecosystem, Public Health Policy, Blackwater fever.

Abstract

Purpose: This paper describes the current status of telehealth in the Latin American Amazon and displays the result of a distance course on malaria, focused on physicians and healthcare professionals from nine countries of the Amazon region. Methods: Data were collected on telehealth implementation and course participation for the following countries in the Amazon region: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia. Results: There are 808 Municipalities in the Amazon region. Over half (51.9%) of the Municipalities have implemented or are implementing telehealth projects in the region. Among these 6 countries, Brazil has the highest percentage of municipalities with telehealth projects implemented (498 of 808, 61,6%;), Venezuela  (38 of 91, 41.7%) and  following by Bolívia  (5 of 39; 12,8%). Participation in the distance course on malaria has included 868 students: Brazil, 291 participants (33.5%); Bolivia, 28 (3.2%); Colombia, 104 (12.0%); Ecuador, 52 (6.0%); Guyana, 2 (0.2%); Paraguay 1 (0.1%), 270 Peru (31,1%); 102 Venezuela (11.8%) and others (2.1%). Nearly all (99.1%) of learners would recommend the course to colleagues. Conclusion: Shared action between countries is an important framework that can lead to incorporation of telehealth resources and training for a common, remote setting, as exemplified by international activities in the Amazon region.

Author Biographies

Alaneir Fatima Santos, MD, Professor, Coordinator of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Coordinator of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Claudio Souza Souza, MD, Professor, Coordinator of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Coordinator of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Monica Pena Abreu, Occupational therapist. Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Occupational therapist. Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Cleinaldo Almeida Costa, MD, Professor, Coordinator of Telehealth Center, Dean of the Amazon State University (UEA).

Coordinator of Telehealth Center,  Dean of the Amazon State University (UEA).

Maria do Carmo Barros Melo, MD. Professor. Telehealth Center of Medicine School of Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Telehealth Center
Rosalia Morais Torres, MD, Professor, Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Aline Costa Pereira, Nurse. Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Neuslene Rievrs Queiroz, Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Humberto José Alves, Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Member of Telehealth Center. Medical School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil

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Published
2016-02-09
How to Cite
Santos, A., Souza, C., Abreu, M., Costa, C., Melo, M. do C., Torres, R., Pereira, A., Queiroz, N., & Alves, H. (2016). Telehealth in the Amazon Region in Latin America: an Overview. Journal of the International Society for Telemedicine and EHealth, 4, e12 (1-7). Retrieved from https://journals.ukzn.ac.za/index.php/JISfTeH/article/view/149
Issue
Vol 4 (2016)
Section
Special Theme: Telehealth in Brazil

Copyright (c) 2016 Alaneir Fatima Santos, Claudio Souza Souza, Monica Pena Abreu, Cleinaldo Almeida Costa, Maria do Carmo Barros Melo, Rosalia Morais Torres, Aline Costa Pereira, Neuslene Rievrs Queiroz, Humberto José Alves

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