La telemedicina como herramienta para abordaje la salud mental de personas con enfermedades tropicales desatendidas

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been linked to poor socioeconomic conditions. In addition, its sequelae can cause chronic affectations, from physical disability to psycho-emotional, associated with social and individual stigma, due to physical appearance. Therefore, a descriptive study was carried out to assess the impact of the use of technologies in the mental health (SM) approach in 182 patients with EDT from endemic areas. Data was collected using mobile and landline phones. A survey was used to assess mental well-being (both subjective and objective), as well as their familiarity with and perspectives on ICTs. After establishing a baseline for the SM status of the community and linking the stigmas surrounding WBS. Patients were asked to complete a survey to express their feelings about the impact of stigma on MS in the community. The results showed that people living with EDT are more concerned about the limiting conditions of living and do not value the emotional and mental aspects as part of health and well-being, probably because they consider more relevant the organic alterations and physical sequelae they suffer from of their illness that limits and incapacitates them to work. However, the female sex turned out to be more vulnerable to presenting psychological alterations. In conclusion, the participants consider telemedicine a good tool that will help them face social stigma and reduce self-esteem; It will improve therapist-patient communication by providing them with adequate and timely treatment.