The phrase developing world is used to describe nations and
regions that lack basic infrastructure such as improved
roads, municipal power, water, and sewage systems as well
as access to higher learning and healthcare. Typically
these regions also lack robust telecommunications often
relying on poorly constructed terrestrial phone services
and the occasional cell phone network.
While great efforts are made to provide basic services such
and medical care, dental care, and basic public health
services, worldwide resources are spread very thin. In
developing regions, the political, economic, and logistical
hurdles often make access to healthcare nearly impossible.
The healthcare shortages in the developing world directly
affect developed regions of the world. Often, new diseases
emerge first in developing regions. Without proper
surveillance, these diseases can quickly spread and the
concern is that the world will be unprepared for the next
pandemic
New technologies are being deployed today to extend
resources and overcome the logistical problems that hamper
basic healthcare. Telecare is the term used to refer to the
use of technology to remotely monitor patients, conduct
patient examinations, and provide expert guidance to
in-field healthcare workers.
Tools such as cell phones, satellite phones, web cameras,
and video conferencing now allow specialist to consult with
local doctors and aid workers. These same technologies are
also being used to train healthcare workers in the field,
provide epidemiological surveillance, provide mental health
services, and ensure patient treatment compliance.
Technology can also be used to provide preventative
services. For instance, we know that providing prenatal and
neonatal education to parents reduces infant mortality and
can help reduce disease incidence in small communities.
These courses can be developed to be delivered over cell
phones and laptops.
The importance of telecare in the developing world cannot
be understated. Already technology is improving and saving
lives in regions such as Nepal, Western, and Central
Africa. Despite political and economic upheaval, some
regions are finding support from local, national, and
global telecommunication companies. Never-the-less,
equipment and telecommunication services can be very
expensive. In central Africa, a cell phone with a built in
camera may cost as much as two months wages.
In many ways we have reached a tipping point in world
health. We are so mobile and so interconnected that a
disease outbreak in the farthest corner of the world can
reach each of us in a matter of months. Yet, we still lack
the ability to provide basic healthcare to a large portion
of the world's population.
It is vital that developing nations find the resources
necessary to implement telecare services to remote regions.
Doing so will take political and financial commitments from
governments and private industry.
Support from other sectors is critical. Our healthcare
workers will need to be trained to understand and use new
technologies; this presents a new challenge to colleges and
universities. Professional telecommunication workers are
already playing a vital role in healthcare. In developing
regions, they may be as scarce and as valuable as a nurse
or doctor.
regions that lack basic infrastructure such as improved
roads, municipal power, water, and sewage systems as well
as access to higher learning and healthcare. Typically
these regions also lack robust telecommunications often
relying on poorly constructed terrestrial phone services
and the occasional cell phone network.
While great efforts are made to provide basic services such
and medical care, dental care, and basic public health
services, worldwide resources are spread very thin. In
developing regions, the political, economic, and logistical
hurdles often make access to healthcare nearly impossible.
The healthcare shortages in the developing world directly
affect developed regions of the world. Often, new diseases
emerge first in developing regions. Without proper
surveillance, these diseases can quickly spread and the
concern is that the world will be unprepared for the next
pandemic
New technologies are being deployed today to extend
resources and overcome the logistical problems that hamper
basic healthcare. Telecare is the term used to refer to the
use of technology to remotely monitor patients, conduct
patient examinations, and provide expert guidance to
in-field healthcare workers.
Tools such as cell phones, satellite phones, web cameras,
and video conferencing now allow specialist to consult with
local doctors and aid workers. These same technologies are
also being used to train healthcare workers in the field,
provide epidemiological surveillance, provide mental health
services, and ensure patient treatment compliance.
Technology can also be used to provide preventative
services. For instance, we know that providing prenatal and
neonatal education to parents reduces infant mortality and
can help reduce disease incidence in small communities.
These courses can be developed to be delivered over cell
phones and laptops.
The importance of telecare in the developing world cannot
be understated. Already technology is improving and saving
lives in regions such as Nepal, Western, and Central
Africa. Despite political and economic upheaval, some
regions are finding support from local, national, and
global telecommunication companies. Never-the-less,
equipment and telecommunication services can be very
expensive. In central Africa, a cell phone with a built in
camera may cost as much as two months wages.
In many ways we have reached a tipping point in world
health. We are so mobile and so interconnected that a
disease outbreak in the farthest corner of the world can
reach each of us in a matter of months. Yet, we still lack
the ability to provide basic healthcare to a large portion
of the world's population.
It is vital that developing nations find the resources
necessary to implement telecare services to remote regions.
Doing so will take political and financial commitments from
governments and private industry.
Support from other sectors is critical. Our healthcare
workers will need to be trained to understand and use new
technologies; this presents a new challenge to colleges and
universities. Professional telecommunication workers are
already playing a vital role in healthcare. In developing
regions, they may be as scarce and as valuable as a nurse
or doctor.
