Challenges faced by telemedicine in Africa : case study from Cameroon

Abstract

Telemedicine implementation in Africa is increasingly becoming am important topic of discussion; in and out of Africa, investigated, and implemented, yet the term lacks conceptual clarity and definition to health workers within the African continent itself. The primary purpose was to examine perceived susceptibility, some common barriers, and self-efficacy associated with the implementation put in place. Furthermore, the components, process, and outcomes of telemedicine as it is delivered in the African health structure have not been clearly expressed. This report provides an exemplary analysis concept, through available literature; even though very insufficient. During the study, a qualitative finding method was employed. Whereby the interpretative research method has been the key method to interpret all phenomena, it provides a useful tool with which to analyze existing literature on the development, scope and the extent to which telemedicine is used within Africa and other low income countries. From the finding, it was basically identified that the high cost of telemedicine infrastructure tools is so far the greatest challenge African have in the effort put in place to sustain the implementation of telemedicine. This is compared to the economic situation of the nation. Other related factors are technical and organisational challenges, infrastructural difficulties, cost distribution and cost recovery policies put in place, the direct benefit of telemedicine, African health policies and educational challenges. Despite the successes as well as failures within the African nations, telemedicine programs are still working to achieve the results needed to propel this new approach of health care forward, telemedicine today is outstandingly from many other studies very promising due to the great value that can be brought by its implementation.