Physicians’ perceptions on the impact of telemedicine on recruitment and retention in underserved areas: a descriptive study in Senegal

Abstract

BackgroundSimilar to many places, physicians in Senegal are unevenly distributed. Telemedicine is considered a potential solution to this problem. This study investigated the perceptions of Senegal’s physicians of the impact of telemedicine on their recruitment to and retention in underserved areas.MethodsWe conducted individual interviews with a random sample of 60 physicians in Senegal, including 30 physicians working in public hospitals and 30 physicians working in district health centres between January and June 2014, as part of a mixed methods study. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide comprising both open- and close-ended questions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded thematically using NVivo 10 software using a priori and emergent codes. Participants’ characteristics were analyzed descriptively using SPSS 23.ResultsThe impact of telemedicine on physicians’ recruitment and retention in underserved areas was perceived with some variability. Among the physicians who were interviewed, most (36) thought that telemedicine could have a positive impact on their recruitment and retention but many (24) believed the opposite. The advantages noted by the first included telemedicine’s ability to break their professional isolation and reduce the stress related to this, facilitate their distance learning and improve their working conditions. They did acknowledge that it is not sufficient in itself, an opinion also shared by physicians who did not believe that telemedicine could affect their recruitment and retention. Both identified contextual, economic, educational, family, individual, organizational and professional factors as influential.ConclusionBased on these opinions of physicians, telemedicine promotion is one intervention that, alongside others, could be promoted to assist in addressing the multiple factors that influence physicians’ recruitment and retention in underserved areas.

Readiness of healthcare providers for e-hospitals: a cross-sectional analysis in China before the COVID-19 period

“…Thus, it is important that local decision makers give priority to allocating funding for the development of HIS in order to further the progress of e-hospitals. Furthermore, hardware infrastructures and internet access are necessary for e-hospitals to function; however, they may not be affordable for smaller institutions such as PHC 43 44. In our study, PHCs had less online medical practices, which may be explained by variation in the accessibility of infrastructure needed to provide online care.…”

“…41 42 Finally, structural and organisation guidelines for e-hospitals must be developed and government real-time regulation of data security surrounding e-hospitals must be enacted in order to further encourage physicians' adoption. [43][44][45] Moreover, developed policies are not well proposed yet. Evidence-based policy research regarding e-hospitals and Information and communications technology-guided healthcare reform should continue to be explored to aid policymaking.…”

“…Establishing an e-hospital management department and designing reliable treatment protocol and evaluation mechanisms for e-hospitals is imperative for decision makers and policymakers to ensure that the quality of healthcare is protected 41 42. Finally, structural and organisation guidelines for e-hospitals must be developed and government real-time regulation of data security surrounding e-hospitals must be enacted in order to further encourage physicians’ adoption 43–45. Moreover, developed policies are not well proposed yet.…”

Telehealth in emergency medicine: A consensus conference to map the intersection of telehealth and emergency medicine

“…[173][174][175][176][177][178] In addition to patients in rural settings, telehealth may also play a role in improving access for other underserved populations. [179][180][181][182] It is important to note, however, that there are limited data devoted to populations with limited English proficiency, low health literacy, residence in WiFi deserts, or other health-related social determinants that may influence accessibility. 183 Disparities along racial or ethnic lines in relation to access to emergency telehealth have not been well studied.…”