Trade-offs between Accessibility and Practicality in Global Telemedicine: A Systematic Review

Muhammad  Thoriq; Wilda F.  Rachmadina; Julian B.  Swannjo; Fajrul Falah  Farhany; Adrian  Kuś; Agus  Rachmanto; . Sulistiawati

doi:10.18502/ijph.v54i10.20136

Muhammad Thoriq School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Wilda F. Rachmadina Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Julian B. Swannjo Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
Fajrul Falah Farhany Central for Health Policy and Management Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jogjakarta, Indonesia
Adrian Kuś Department of Didactics and Medical Simulation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Agus Rachmanto Govtech Health, Peruri Digital Security, Jakarta, Indonesia
. Sulistiawati Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v54i10.20136

Keywords: Telemedicine; Accessibility; Message; Video call

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine is increasingly vital in healthcare, offering remote consultations via message-based and video call-based platforms. These methods improve healthcare accessibility, particularly when in-person visits are limited. Telemedicine is increasingly vital in healthcare, offering remote consultations via message-based and video call-based platforms. These methods improve healthcare accessibility, particularly when in-person visits are limited.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in ScienceDirect, PubMed, and up to August 2024. Studies evaluating the accessibility and practicality of global telemedicine were evaluated. From initial 439 records, 19 studies were finally in this systematic review. Studies were reviewed thoroughly with quality appraisal using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale, in which those rated for high quality studies were included.

Results: Most studies (74%) were from high-income countries, notably the United States (26%) and Denmark (11%). Observational studies dominated (95%), focusing on follow-up consultations (47%) and diagnostic services (32%), particularly in general care (32%), neurology (11%), and surgery (5%). Research peaked in 2022 (32%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Common platforms included WhatsApp, AnyDesk, and QliqSOFT. Accessibility was the primary focus in 53% of studies, while 47% addressed feasibility. Challenges like technological barriers and privacy concerns were particularly noted in lower-income regions.

Conclusion: Telemedicine has enhanced healthcare accessibility and demonstrated feasibility. However, technological limitations and remote consultation challenges persist, particularly in lower-income regions. Continued research is needed to optimize telemedicine and equitable access.