Teleconsultation in Three Rural Health Centers: A Case Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30953/thmt.v11.643Keywords:
health system evaluation, Morocco, rural healthcare, teleconsultation, telehealth, telemedicineAbstract
Telemedicine can be a great alternative to traditional acute, chronic, and preventive care, and it can also improve clinical outcomes. Besides, telemedicine will probably keep moving healthcare delivery from hospitals and clinics to homes in the developed world. In rural Morocco, healthcare access remains constrained by geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and shortages of medical staff. Telemedicine has been introduced as a strategic response, yet its implementation requires systematic evaluation. This study assessed a pilot teleconsultation program in three rural health centers of the Azilal province (Anergui, Ait Tamlil, Zaouiat Ahansal), applying a descriptive mixed-methods case study guided by the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine (MAST). Data were collected between January and September 2020 from 12 healthcare professionals through standardized questionnaires, interviews with regional health officials, and documentary review.
The obtained findings revealed strong acceptability, with 92% of professionals supportive of teleconsultation. However, 83% had received no training, and only 8% declared good digital skills, compared to 67% with moderate skills and 25% with weak skills. Equipment was reported functional but remained underutilized; only 42% rated image quality as good, while 8% considered sound quality satisfactory. Activity levels were low, with just 49 teleconsultations over 18 months. Governance was weak, with no coordinators or procedural guides, and none of the staff knew the national telemedicine law (Law 131-13; Decree 2-18-378).
Teleconsultation shows significant potential to enhance healthcare access in rural Morocco. Its sustainability, however, depends on robust training programs, improved governance, integrated digital systems, and clearer regulatory frameworks.
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