Análisis del uso de telemedicina para mejorar la gestión de salud en pacientes de zonas rurales

Abstract

Introduction: In a world where geography can become an insurmountable obstacle to health, rural areas face a great challenge in ensuring timely and quality medical care. Objective: To analyze the potential of using telemedicine to improve health management for patients in rural parishes. Materials and Methods: A positivist paradigm study was conducted, descriptive with a quantitative approach, non-experimental design, and bibliographic review. A search was conducted for articles published within the last 5 years in recognized databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scielo, and Redalyc. The methodology was based on the PICO model to structure the analysis of available scientific evidence, selecting 25 articles. Results: Telemedicine proved to be an effective alternative to the geographic, economic, and infrastructural limitations faced by rural populations, allowing more timely access to diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. In addition, an improvement in treatment adherence and a reduction in travel and waiting times were observed. Conclusion: Strategic implementation of telemedicine tailored to the specific needs and context of the community could significantly contribute to overcoming existing access barriers and improving the quality of life of its residents.