Possibility of introducing telemedicine services in Asian and African countries. Issue 1 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suzuki, Teppei; Hotta, Jyuri; Kuwabara, Tomomi; Yamashina, Hiroko; Ishikawa, Tomoki; Tani, Yuji; Ogasawara, Katsuhiko
• Is Part Of: Health policy and technology. Volume 9:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Telemedicine service -- mHealth -- Healthcare Marketing -- principal component -- cluster analysis; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Medical policy; Medical technology; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Biomedical Technology -- Periodicals; Technology Assessment, Biomedical -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2020.01.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-8837

Abstract

Highlights: The objective of this research is to examine the possibility of introducing telemedicine-based services in developing countries. We surveyed developing countries in Asia and Africa. In Asia, the study was conducted in nine developing countries, excluding those whose data were unavailable. In Africa, 13 countries that had a per capita GDP less than USD 1, 000, and where data were unavailable, were excluded. The target countries were classified into five clusters according to economic indicator, medical environment indicator, IT spread index. The results of this research suggest that there is a good possibility of introducing remote telemedicine services in South Africa and that the possibility for its introduction is also high in Thailand where internet spread is more advanced. Abstract: Objectives: In some developing countries, despite advancements in Information Technology (IT), medical resources are scarce; hence, introduction of telemedicine services can solve this problem. In this study, we examined the possibility of introducing telemedicine-based services in developing countries utilizing the available data. Methods: In Asia, the study was conducted in nine developing countries, excluding those where data were unavailable. In Africa, thirteen countries whose per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was less than USD 1000, and where data were unavailable, were also excluded. We chose the number of doctors, nurses, and midwives as indicators of the healthcare environment. We used the number of internet contracts and mobile phone contracts as indicators of IT penetration, and set per capita GDP and its growth rate as economic indicators. We combined the two continents' data and performed a principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Results: We used cluster analysis to classify the target countries into the following five clusters: Cluster A: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, Ghana, Tunisia, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Thailand; Cluster B: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, India, and Pakistan; Cluster C: Sudan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Tanzania, Philippines, and China; Cluster D: South Africa, and Cluster E: Japan and Singapore. As a result of conducting PCA, Cluster A emerged as the region with the highest progressiveness and development possibility. Conclusions: Introduction of telemedicine services has been visualized by using cluster analysis and PCA. However, it is necessary to incorporate future medical needs as indicators to make a more appropriate assessment of its potential.