Telemedicine and telepharmaceutical services: A model to improve maldistribution of medical resources between regions &amp; urban/rural sectors in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Rafiq, R A Abou-Shaaban; Esmail, Marwa

doi:10.1007/bf02439492

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…Regarding the latter aspect of telemedicine, there --33 PARK S have been many debates focusing on geographical size, population, specialty, disease and open or closed systems, as they relate to a specific client population (Abou-Shaaba and Niazy 1991;Cutchin 2002;Glasgow 2002;Shannon et al 2002;Gilbert et al 2008). Among those debates, regionalization is regarded as the best method for optimal spatial organization (Cutchin 2002;Shannon et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical Characteristics of Telemedicine in Korea and Japan

Park

2010

Geog. Rev. Japan B

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Assessments of telemedicine from a geographical perspective have generated a variety of opinions with regard to its distribution and optimal spatial organization. Such discussions are associated with the fundamental question of health care, in other words, the balance between equity and efficiency in health care services. Accordingly, these discussions are concerned with the extent to how telemedicine can complement insufficient medical services (equity) and how telemedicine plays a role in making a profit for patients or medical institutions (efficiency). Within such contexts, it is stipulated that telemedicine in Korea and Japan aims to promote regional health care and has emerged on basis for each diagnostic area controlled at a tertiary-care level. In spite of its significance and the rise of informatization in health care, few have attempted to address telemedicine in geography. Therefore, this paper presents arguments on the geographical characteristics related to two aspects of telemedicine-distribution and network-in Korea and Japan and explores each telemedicine operation through two cases. For the most part, the medical institutions involved with telemedicine in Korea are distributed in Kyunggi (the central part of Korea as the metropolitan area). As for Japanese telemedicine, the medical institutions supplying and receiving telemedicine are mainly located in the northern and southern parts of Japan, but not in metropolitan areas. Regarding telemedicine networks, the nationwide medical institutions receiving telemedicine are considerably involved with the medical institutions providing telemedicine in Kyunggi. Contrary to the Korean case, the Japanese telemedicine networks are based in each diagnostic area and are controlled at a tertiary care level. Moreover, some of the outlying Japanese telemedicine networks lack strong referral relationships with metropolitan areas, unlike those in Korea. Therefore, it is not an oversimplification to say that the geographic characteristics of telemedicine in Korea and Japan can be summarized as "centralized" and "decentralized, " respectively. The differences in their traditional health care systems and development processes and the distinctions regarding how telemedicine is used as well as the knowledge of patients and medical workers all have a significant effect on such geographical characteristics. Accordingly, the geographical phenomena of telemedicine are influenced not only by technological aspects but also social and medical circumstances.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical Characteristics of Telemedicine in Korea and Japan

Park

2010

Geog. Rev. Japan B

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Quantitative indices for medical & personnel facilities

1991

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The status of medical facilities and personnel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the end of the fourth five-year plan (1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990) was reviewed and analyzed regarding the standards of services and workload of health personnel for the different regions and urban/rural areas in the Kingdom. Innovative indices for the quantitative analysis of medical facilities were developed. The analysis of health facilities in Saudi Arabia shows that the Kingdom enjoys a high standard of medical facilities. However, there are maldistribution of clinical resources and personnel between regions and between urban/rural areas. Utilization of these indices for the reallocation of medical facilities and personnel to ensure even distribution of services for all inhabitants of the Kingdom was illustrated. In addition, indices give a guideline for the future planning and the rate of increase of these facilities that keeps the standard of medical services in the proper class desired with minimum resources wastage.

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