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[Cardiology in rural areas]
1Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad del Sur de la Florida.
Insights
Establishing a cardiology clinic in rural Puerto Rico proved reasonable, primarily for consultative services. Most patients required only limited follow-up or specialized interventions, indicating a consultative role is viable.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rural Health
- Healthcare Services
Abstract:
Based on a personal experience after having established a cardiology clinic in the town of Arroyo (Puerto Rico), we analyzed the patient population served and the services that were rendered. After collecting the data from the clinical files, we were able to obtain information on diagnosis, follow-up, diagnostic test and therapeutic procedures performed. In general, it was found that only a minority of patients needed long term cardiology follow-up and specialized diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. In conclusion we established that the presence of a cardiology clinic in the rural areas is reasonable, if their function remains as merely consultative.