Vol. 2011 No. 1 (2011)

View Issue TOC

Telemedicine Accessibility Barriers and Patient Retention in Remote Mountain Villages of Tanzania,

Katoto Simba, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) Mabika Ndyamboga, Department of Research, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha Chituoko Kazembe, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro Kihoro Mwesimbi, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18932210
Published: October 14, 2011

Abstract

Telemedicine services have been proposed as a solution to improve healthcare access in remote areas of Tanzania, particularly for mountain villages with limited infrastructure and resources. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a quantitative survey of 300 patients who used telemedicine services between and , complemented by qualitative interviews with healthcare providers. Data were analysed to determine the prevalence and nature of accessibility issues. The analysis revealed that 45% of respondents experienced technical difficulties during their first appointment, significantly impacting their willingness to continue using telemedicine services. Despite initial challenges, patients reported higher satisfaction with telemedicine compared to traditional in-person consultations. However, persistent barriers such as poor internet connectivity and lack of digital literacy hinder long-term patient retention. To enhance patient engagement and service longevity, healthcare providers should prioritise infrastructure improvements, provide ongoing training on telemedicine use for both patients and providers, and implement flexible scheduling options to accommodate varying needs. Telemedicine, Patient Retention, Accessibility Barriers, Remote Villages, Tanzania

Full Text:

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

How to Cite

Katoto Simba, Mabika Ndyamboga, Chituoko Kazembe, Kihoro Mwesimbi (2011). Telemedicine Accessibility Barriers and Patient Retention in Remote Mountain Villages of Tanzania,. African Interpersonal Communication, Vol. 2011 No. 1 (2011). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18932210

Keywords

GeographicSub-SaharanTelehealthAccessibilityRetentionInfrastructureAnthropology

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 2011 No. 1 (2011)
Current Journal
African Interpersonal Communication

References