Limitations for the implementation of Telemedicine and Telehealth Projects:
Based on the Ecuadorian experience
Abstract:
The use of Telemedicine and Telehealth has proven advantages and results
at a world-wide level. It started with applications for government and defense
departments; however at the present time it has expanded, to integrate its usage
for rural areas, because of its benefits for the inhabitants of isolated regions,
where basic services such as water, electricity, health and communication are
almost absent.
Ecuador does not want to remain outside of this wave of benefits and concrete
solutions or applications, for that reason and with a realistic point of view;
we have analyzed and determined the limitations that have prevented our Country
to utilize this trend at a wide national level.
Additionally, to intent to solve this limitations, we would like to present
in this Keynote speech, some suggested solutions that include the fact that
our future work, must be a result of joint efforts between non governmental
organizations such us our foundation, private and public institutions, international
organizations and their experiences, hand by hand with the governmental agencies.
With this approach, we expect to be able to generate cost-effective, measurable
and applicable solutions at a complete National level, and especially sustainable
in long periods of time with the support and participation of the local communities
which are the main beneficiaries of these applications.
Short biography:
Mrs. Maria Teresa Mijares Pisano was born in Venezuela, but has
lived most of her life in Ecuador, over 19 years. During this time
she has enjoyed the beauty of this country and its people, but also
has closely seen the needs of the inhabitants in rural areas. Mrs.
Mijares also has seen the benefits that Telemedicine and Telehealth
has provided to countries such us India, Butan, Brasil, Peru among
so many others, and believes that this can be a helpful tool for
Ecuadorians as well. For this reason since 2001 she has made Telemedicine
and Telehealth a personal and professional matter, and this prompted
her to create the Ecuadorian Foundation for Telemedicine and Telehealth
a non profit organization to promote and work to achieve lasting
results in the communities.
Personal Statement:
“It will be a pleasure to participate in the REV International Conference,
and an honor to be able to share some ideas and expectations with the attendees
of the conferences. I am also very interested in listening to the conferences
that will be presented in topics such us virtual and remote laboratories, teleservice
and telediagnosis, telerobotics and so many others.
I am looking forward to visit Dusseldorf and specially the University of
Applied Sciences Dusseldorf where so many interesting and pioneer projects have
been created over the years. I hope that the information that I will share regarding
Ecuador, its people, and the projects that we have for future developments can
generate interest and possible joint collaboration among the participants of
REV 2008, and hopefully create a net of virtual and personal telehealth and
teleducational exchange”.
