7 Years' Experience in A Telemedicine Program in Infectious Diseases in Argentina

Background: To describe a telemedicine program (TP) combining medical education (ME) and second opinion consultations (SOC) for public hospitals in Argentina (PHA) Methods: At distance ME is a useful teaching methodology for healthcare workers (HCW); SOC as a complement to ME would also contribute to HCW daily practice. We describe a TP for PHA, which provides ME in Infectious Diseases (ID) combining e-learning and on site tutorial meetings with a SOC system exclusively over the Internet. The TP is provided free of charge, since it is financed through unrestricted grants from philanthropic organizations. The TP was started in April 2002. The TP designates a local medical coordinator and an administrative assistant at each PHA and provides a computer and Internet connection. The initial phase lasts 2 yrs when ME and SOC are administered directly from TP headquarters (PHQ). After this period, TP is opened to replication by local coordinators, with permanent support and update of ME contents from PHQ. Results: Up to 10/31/09, 13,989 HCW (6,150 physicians; 5,846 nurses; 1,993 others) from 50 PHA have joined the TP. A total of 9,028 SOC have been processed in the period, with an average reply time of 36 hs. In the period 2007-09, 3,047 HCW (1,635 physicians and 1,412 nurses) joined the TP in the 25 PHA entering the second stage. As a result of permanent surveying and feedback, the TP strategy has been redesigned to include other resources: Epidemiological Research Division; Microbiology Branch; Immunizations Branch; intervention actions in HIC including WHO's 5 moments initiative. The TP has given quick response to emerging situations (A-H1N1 influenza and Dengue) and has incorporated external experts to comment on key SOC. Conclusion: The TP has successfully organized a network of HCW at PHA actively engaged in scientific knowledge exchange; SOC prove to be an effective tool as a complement to ME. The TP can be successfully replicated locally. Its main impact is its potential to unify diagnostic, therapeutic and prevention approaches in ID and its capacity to provide rapid response to emerging situations. Continued surveillance and feedback has opened the ground for new TP strategies besides ME and SOC. Abstracts for SupplementInternational Journal of Infectious DiseasesVol. 14Preview Full-Text PDF Open Archive