Impacto de las unidades móviles de telemedicina en los resultados sanitarios, la resistencia del sistema sanitario y la respuesta ante catástrofes en zonas afectadas por inundaciones: estudio de caso de Sehat Kahani

Resumen

Introduction: The study explores the deployment of telemedicine services. Sehat Kahani (SK) introduced a two-tier telehealth model combining physical camps, mobile units, and a telehealth app to enhance healthcare accessibility and delivery in crisis.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of SK´s telemedicine model in improving healthcare outcomes and system resilience. It also aims to identify key factors contributing to the successful integration of telehealth during flood emergencies.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders: SK staff, healthcare providers, beneficiaries, funders, and top-level management. Interviews provided insights into the implementation process, challenges encountered, and strategies to address these challenges. We identified themes related to resource analysis, accessibility, security, scalability, training, evaluation, collaboration, and sustainability.

Results: The findings underscore the significance of comprehensive assessments, budget analysis, and collaboration with government agencies and corporate partners in successfully implementing telehealth services. Accessibility was effectively addressed through SK's multi-tiered model, which combined mobile clinics with a user-friendly telehealth app. Security, privacy, and confidentiality were maintained by adhering to data protection regulations (HIPAA). Training programs for healthcare professionals focused on empathy, rapport building, and technical proficiency. Sehat Kahani's scalability measures and preparedness for increased patient volume facilitated efficient service delivery during disasters.

Conclusions: SK's comprehensive approach, encompassing resource analysis, accessibility, security, scalability, training, evaluation, collaboration, and sustainability, successfully integrates telehealth into disaster relief efforts. This model offers valuable insights for future telehealth initiatives in disaster response scenarios, particularly in developing nations affected by flood emergencies.