A Narrative Review of Telemedicine in Latin America during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted traditional health structures, posing new challenges in an unprecedented health crisis. Telemedicine services were implemented in countries with robust digital platforms to reduce hospital attendance while continuing to provide medical care. This study aims to determine how telemedicine services have been used as a tool to ensure the right to health in Latin America during the pandemic. Materials and methods: We conducted a narrative review in which words such as telemedicine, COVID-19, Latin America, access, and right to health, were searched on scientific medical datasets such as PubMed and SciELO. Additionally, we reviewed legislation in the Latin American health domain regarding the administration and transmission of digital data. Results and conclusions: Several countries have used telemedicine to reduce the saturation of healthcare systems and increase patient access. Issues such as broadband access for low-income populations and adequate legal regulations for transmitting and storing confidential data must be addressed to improve telemedicine use in Latin America.

Optimizing Telehealth Strategies for Rehabilitation

“…This increase can also be seen throughout Latin America, where both public and private health centers are increasing their telemedicine services, reducing the cost of care, reaching a greater number of people, and avoiding crowds of people in health services 20…”

“…19 This increase can also be seen throughout Latin America, where both public and private health centers are increasing their telemedicine services, reducing the cost of care, reaching a greater number of people, and avoiding crowds of people in health services. 20 The main objective of this research is to examine the experiences and perspectives of rural physiotherapists and their preferences regarding telehealth strategies. The findings of this study aim to contribute to the advancement of telehealth approaches that are specifically designed to meet the unique challenges and requirements of subspecialty care in underserved rural areas.…”

Digital health and the promise of equity in maternity care: A mixed methods multi-country assessment on the use of information and communication technologies in healthcare facilities in Latin America and the Caribbean

“…Another factor impacting the adoption of ICTs was the lack of a policy framework to regulate the use of ICTs, particularly of direct provider-patient care, in many Latin American and Caribbean countries at the beginning of the pandemic [ 28 ]. Whereas policy regulations around telehealth lagged behind practice, several governments issued new policies to regulate telehealth during COVID-19 [ 29 ], including mandates to public health insurances to reimburse remote care provision.…”

Promoting telemedicine in Latin America in light of COVID-19

“…It is presented as a practical option to narrow the health divide and address problems related to health inequality between and within countries, and to combat climate change and its impact (21,22), thereby accelerating the achievement of SDGs 3, 13 and 17, and helping to achieve SDGs 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 16. There is a large number of studies showing a correlation between well-being and the development of telemedicine services (23) (24). The social-distancing measures imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, together with a lack of specialists and, on occasions, the sheer size of a country are factors that have driven the implementation of a variety of new telemedicine services in health systems to improve the health situation of populations (25)(26)(27)(28)(29).…”