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Using School-Based Teleconsultation Services to Make Community Health Services Accessible in Semirural Settings of
Saleema Gulzar1, Shirin Rahim1, Khadija Dossa2
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
JMIR Formative Research
|November 12, 2024
Summary
School-based teleconsultation services (TCS) effectively improved health access for students in Pakistan. This innovative approach enhanced children's health outcomes and reduced school absences, demonstrating its value in remote communities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Informatics
- Telemedicine
Background:
- Healthcare access is limited in Pakistan's remote regions, with a shortage of quality care and professionals.
- Telehealth, specifically teleconsultations, offers an innovative solution to bridge this gap.
- Schools present a viable platform for delivering these essential health services in semi-rural communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of implementing school-based teleconsultation services (TCS) in a semi-rural area of Karachi, Pakistan.
- To strengthen community health by integrating telehealth into the school system.
- To evaluate the impact of TCS on health service accessibility for students.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study design was employed.
- Quantitative data collected from 393 students; qualitative data from 35 parents, teachers, and community stakeholders via focus group discussions.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS (v24) for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.
Main Results:
- Over 28 months, 1046 successful teleconsultations were provided to 393 students.
- The majority of students utilizing TCS were male (59.3%), with a mean age of 9.24 years.
- Qualitative findings revealed themes of transformed healthcare experiences, high demand for teleconsultation, and the psychological benefits of care.
Conclusions:
- Integrating TCS in schools is effective for improving healthcare accessibility in semi-urban settings.
- School-based TCS enhanced children's health, reduced absences, and lessened financial burdens on families.
- TCS is cost-effective, time-efficient, and high-quality, with community support for expansion and continuous availability.
Keywords:
child healthdigital healtheConsultationinformation technologyschool healthteleconsultationtelehealthMore Related Videos
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