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While the United States enjoys the reputation
of having one of the more sophisticated healthcare systems
in the world, those of us who support telemedicine applications
are aware of limitations that geographic and socioeconomic
obstacles can impose on optimal healthcare delivery.
Similar to the U.S. telemedicine landscape, developing
countries confront the challenges of delivering quality
healthcare to diverse regional populations. This article
reviews the current situation and the promise telemedicine
offers to meet healthcare delivery challenges in Arab
countries.
Significant progress in healthcare throughout
Arab countries is well documented. Dramatic improvements
in healthcare delivery, as evidenced through rising
numbers of hospitals, hospital beds, primary healthcare
centers and qualified providers, have produced substantial
quality-of-life results.
And yet, problems and challenges still
exist. Owing in large to socioeconomic and geographical
disparities, significant health deficits persist across
many regions, particularly in rural areas, due to limitations
including a lack of timely healthcare intervention,
inaccessibility to healthcare centers and a shortage
of qualified providers.
In a study concerning human development
in Arab countries (Boutayeb and Serghini, 2006), the
authors examined critical health indicators –
life expectancy, infant mortality and maternal mortality
– noting that these factors are central to socioeconomic
development. Findings indicated that while significant
progress was achieved in increasing life expectancy
and in decreasing both infant and maternal mortality,
high potential for improvement exists, especially in
rural areas. The authors concluded that, " the
post-colonial era has known significant improvement
in life expectancy and reduction in maternal and infant
mortality. However, considering its natural wealth and
human resources, the Arab region has accomplished less
than expected in terms of human development.”1
Specific recommendations to improve
healthcare conditions and human development included
more accessible health services for disadvantaged populations,
particularly those in rural areas and addressing the
absence of qualified staff, equipment and preventive
measures through early diagnosis and education.
Since 2002, GlobalMedia has been at
the center of solutions for such challenges by bridging
the gap between qualified healthcare providers and underserved
patients through cost-effective devices and telemedicine
alternatives.
GlobalMedia has observed that obstacles
to quality healthcare delivery, caused by diverse geographic
and socioeconomic situations, are not unique to the
Arab world. Even countries like the U.S., Canada and
the European Union, who possess highly advanced healthcare
systems, struggle with such issues. By providing innovative
telemedicine products and services to healthcare providers,
we have helped many resolve problems associated with
inadequate availability of healthcare services and expertise.
The following examples provide a glimpse
into the possibilities for quickly and economically
enhancing healthcare delivery in even the most challenging
situations. Successful telemedicine programs in the
U.S. include Loyola University Medical Center and Tulsa
Hillcrest Hospital. Using innovative telemedicine, these
hospitals have expanded services, conserved physician
time and reduced costs through remote diagnoses and
specialist consultations. Tools such as GlobalMedia’s
i8500 series Mobile Medical Video Carts allow remote
monitoring of pediatric patients and timely intervention
when needed. The medical cart is an all-in-one ergonomic
solution that includes the EasyShare® VC video conferencing
and communications software, high-quality full-screen
video, echo-free audio, remote camera control and an
integrated digital stethoscope for
remote auscultation. Even from a remote location, an
on-call physician can see, hear and code a patient 24/7.
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