Perceptions of Telemedicine Implementation from Primary Health Care in a First-Level Hospital in Colombia: A Qualitative Study
Keywords:
telemedicine; chronic disease; COVID-19; rural health; barriers to access of health services; ColombiaAbstract
Introduction: In Colombia, 18% of the population lives in rural areas with limited access to healthcare services—a situation that was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, strategies such as telemedicine have been promoted. This study examined the perceptions of various health system stakeholders regarding the implementation of telemedicine for chronic disease management in a first-level hospital.
Methods: A qualitative study guided by grounded theory was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 16 participants, including patients (n = 11) and healthcare professionals (n = 5), at a first-level hospital. The data were analyzed according to four major categories: opportunities, advantages, barriers, and limitations.
Results: Participants identified several opportunities, including improved access to medical care in remote areas, enhanced follow-up for chronic conditions, and more efficient scheduling of appointments and procedures. Advantages included increased accessibility and the ability to alternate between in-person and virtual consultations. Nonetheless, limitations such as insufficient infrastructure and lack of training were noted, along with barriers including distrust in technology and poor coordination among healthcare actors.
Conclusions: The findings highlight significant opportunities and potential benefits for implementing telemedicine in first-level hospitals in Colombia. However, challenges remain, including inadequate infrastructure, limited training and resources, distrust in digital tools, restricted internet access, and a lack of coordination among healthcare stakeholders.
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