Authors:
Toru Oga
1
;
Katherine Panganiban
2
;
Kuriko Kudo
3
;
Jocelyn Celero
4
;
Shintaro Ueda
3
;
Shunta Tomimatsu
3
;
Jeffrey Domino
2
and
Tomohiko Moriyama
3
Affiliations:
1
Faculty of Law, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan
;
2
Institute of Surgery, St. Luke’s Medical Center, 279 E Rodriguez Sr. Ave. Quezon City, 1112, Philippines
;
3
Telemedicine Development Center of Asia, Kyushu University Hospital, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka-Shi, Fukuoka, Japan
;
4
Asian Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
Keyword(s):
Telemedicine, International Telemedicine Education, Communication, Collaboration, The Philippines.
Abstract:
A multitude of studies have investigated the opportunities and limitations of telemedicine pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. However, most of the research has focused on telemedicine’s constraints in the context of international, regional, and developed nations, with few studies examining the specific challenges that may affect telemedicine’s progress in developing countries where the pandemic may have exacerbated existing technological and geographical difficulties. This study takes the Philippines as a case study due to its archipelagic location, use of English as an official language, and other factors that influence its adaptability to international telemedicine. We assessed the barriers and challenges to the advancement of telemedicine from four viewpoints: policy, organization, individual, and collaboration between organizations. Therefore, the significance of this study is twofold: (a) to concentrate on international telemedicine education by contrasting domestic and internatio
nal practices, and (b) to newly reveal connections between each component, as prior research highlighted barriers and difficulties but did not clarify relationships among different elements. We surveyed and interviewed 38 physicians, technicians, coordinators, and staff involved in telemedicine education in the Philippines. The study found that (1) public support yields favourable results, (2) a strong correlation exists between domestic and international telemedicine, (3) communication and technical obstacles are interconnected, (4) unity and cooperation in intra-hospital collaboration are critical, and (5) comprehending the "significance of work" has a positive impact. This study underscores the intersectionality of several barriers to telemedicine development. It also recommends providing greater support for telemedicine education in developing nations and promoting collaboration between developing and developed nations.
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