Implementation status and challenges of telemedicine service (specialists’ consultation) for correctional homes in Kolkata: A mixed method study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71152/ajms.v16i8.4585Keywords:
Correctional home; Challenges; Implementation; Teleconsultation; TelemedicineAbstract
Background: The State Administration of West Bengal, India has recently operationalized telemedicine (TM) services for specialist consultation at eight central correctional homes (CHs) with the aim of improving overall well-being and medical care of the inmates.
Aims and Objectives: The purpose of the study was to find out the implementation status of TM services in CHs of Kolkata, satisfaction among the inmates and to explore challenges faced by medical officers during tele-consultation.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convergent parallel mixed-method approach was conducted in four CHs at Kolkata from April to June 2024. Implementation status regarding TM services was assessed using a checklist. All inmates were interviewed face-to-face to know their satisfaction regarding TM consultation and their sociodemographic profile. To explore the challenges in the implementation of TM, in-depth interviews were held with medical officers and warders of those CHs.
Results: A total of 280 tele-consultation were done. Maximum (54%) utilization of the TM service was from Baruipur CH, 41.80% consultation was done for gastroenterology. Among the 79 inmates, 94.9% were male, 60.8% were from rural areas, 29.1% were illiterate, 55.7% were unskilled workers and 55.7% were under trial. 43.04% of prisoners were not satisfied with tele-consultation. Medical officers faced challenges such as network issues, prolonged waiting, and inaccessibility of e-prescribed tests, medicine, and resistance from inmates.
Conclusion: TM service in CH is still in a nascent stage. Participants were not satisfied by the service mainly due to not availability of suggested test, which was also found as a challenge faced by the service providers.
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