Background

Telemedicine has been a useful healthcare alternative in the fight to contain the recent Covid-19 global pandemic. Yet the extent of its application and efficacy as an alternative route for healthcare provision remains a major concern for clinicians and patients.

Objective

This study sought to identify barriers to the successful implementation of telemedicine in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.

Method

A systematic review of the literature was conducted by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for identifying, selecting, evaluating and interpreting findings.

Results

Our results from 66 empirical studies revealed a wide usage of telemedicine technology across SSA countries but also showed insufficient evidence of usage for fighting Covid-19 infection. Further, technological, organisational, legal and regulatory, individual, financial, and cultural aspects were identified as the major barriers to the successful implementation of telemedicine in SSA. A list of recommendations was produced for each telemedicine barrier.

Conclusion

Our review shows current trends in telemedicine application, as well as highlighting critical barriers for consideration by healthcare decision makers. This review offers a number of recommendations to support wider implementation and sustainable usage of telemedicine in SSA.

中文翻译：

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撒哈拉以南非洲地区远程医疗的使用：Covid-19 及以后的障碍和政策建议

 背景

在遏制最近的 Covid-19 全球大流行的斗争中，远程医疗一直是一种有用的医疗保健替代方案。然而，其作为医疗保健提供替代途径的应用范围和功效仍然是临床医生和患者的主要关注点。

 客观的

本研究旨在找出撒哈拉以南非洲 (SSA) 国家成功实施远程医疗的障碍。

 方法

通过应用系统评价和荟萃分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南来识别、选择、评估和解释研究结果，对文献进行了系统评价。

 结果

我们的 66 项实证研究结果显示，远程医疗技术在 SSA 国家得到了广泛使用，但也表明远程医疗技术用于对抗 Covid-19 感染的证据不足。此外，技术、组织、法律和监管、个人、财务和文化方面被认为是在 SSA 成功实施远程医疗的主要障碍。针对每个远程医疗障碍制定了一份建议清单。

 结论

我们的评论显示了远程医疗应用的当前趋势，并强调了医疗保健决策者考虑的关键障碍。本次审查提出了许多建议，以支持远程医疗在 SSA 的更广泛实施和可持续使用。