Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
Background: : Many African healthcare systems are seeking innovative solutions to improve access to specialized
care. Accordingly, Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has adopted telemedicine to overcome the shortage of
healthcare professionals, since 2011, and to support daily connections with Portuguese specialists, through a
teleconsultation platform. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the telemedicine service devel-
opment, evolution, and impact in global health in the context of a low and middle-income country (LMIC).
Methods: : A case study approach was used and combined with the Momentum framework’s critical success
factors to successfully launch telemedicine services analysis, in order to help understand implementation and
scale-up processes, as well as the role of strategic partnership in leveraging healthcare services with technology.
Results: : From 2011 to 2019, the telemedicine service in STP performed a total of 4,966, real-time tele-
consultations, 137,976 exams, and clinical files introduced in the telemedicine platform. At present, fourteen
medical specialities are providing remote access to care from Portugal. The most frequent specialties were tel-
eradiology (72%), teleophthalmology (13%), teleotorhinolaryngology (9%), and telepediatric (4%). Moreover,
behind this platform local human resources were trained to perform teleconsultations with autonomy. Addi-
tionally, the Marquˆes Valle Flor Institute’s leadership has been a successful factor.
Conclusion: : These results suggest a consistent evolution of the service established through the system’s inte-
gration into the daily routine and with the Portuguese health service. This sustainable telemedicine service is
therefore an excellent example of the contribution that information technologies can make to LMIC, especially in
the context of universal healthcare coverage
