Contribution of telemedicine to improving access to health care in rural areas in Benin, Gérard Houndote

Gérard Houndote
Public Economics Laboratory, University of Abomey-Calavi
02 BP 2163 Gbégamey-Cotonou
Benin 

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the impact of new health technologies and their potential to improve the efficiency of care, as well as their adoption by rural populations in Benin. It is indeed a question of exploring the potential of telemedicine as an essential lever to improve access to medical care, particularly in rural areas where distance, lack of infrastructure and the scarcity of health professionals are major obstacles. The methodological approach considered is the quantitative difference-in-difference method ranging from a case study to a controlled experiment. This will involve first analyzing the telemedicine initiatives already in place in Benin; then identifying the factors for adopting these technologies in rural areas through variables relating to cost, ease of use, level of training required and internet availability; finally, comparing a group benefiting from telemedicine with a control group to assess the impact. The expected results are that telemedicine, by reducing geographical, economic and temporal barriers to access to care, improves the quality of care, facilitates patient monitoring and makes health services more accessible and equitable. By improving the accessibility and equity of care, this research will contribute to the SDGs, in particular innovation and infrastructure (SDG9), health and well-being (SDG3) and the reduction of inequalities (SDG10).

Keywords: Telemedicine, Accessibility, Healthcare, Rural areas, Benin.