[Cost/benefit and cost/effectiveness study: Anahuac telemedicine]. / Análisis costo-beneficio. Telemedicina Anáhuac.

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to make an accurate cost/benefit and cost/effectiveness assessment of the "Telemedicina Anáhuac" project, which provides virtual satellite medical care via fixed teleconsultations and movable units in rural/marginal areas. METHODS: The basis of the study was a bibliographical analysis of health areas. RESULTS: When making a monetary analysis and observing fair profits, accessibility and increase in coverage in these populations, it is easier to determine whether or not the project is viable and whether or not it accomplishes cost/benefit and cost/effectiveness conditions. It has not been possible to accurately evaluate epidemiological situations or their changes and impact on health because of the short duration of the project in each community. The most valuable benefit of "Telemedicina Anáhuac" is the appropriate medical referral of surgical patients. CONCLUSIONS: From the results obtained, we are aware that this project offers to our country a great opportunity to resolve health problems in marginalized areas. It offers several benefits to the population, to the Health Ministry, to the personnel and to the social service medical students who operate it. In the surgical area, better diagnoses are obtained, and the project helps to decongest the second level of medical care in Mexico.

[Telemedicine Anáhuac. Educational system and health promotion activities]. / Telemedicina Anáhuac. Sistema de educación y apoyo a la atención de la salud.

Rural telemedicine began in the 1950s in the Papago, Arizona Reservation with the program Starphac. The Anáhuac University began the program in 2002. In the Anáhuac, the project was developed to provide specialty consultations in a virtual way to a highly marginalized population, creating clinical fields of high technology and fulfilling social obligations. The program began in Guerrero and was complemented with video conferences to an open population, courses to general physicians, continuing medical education, activities to promote health, and emergency disaster plans. From May 2002 until the end of 2004, 11,576 general consults have been provided and 2,420 specialty consults. The most frequent diagnoses in surgery were peptic ulcer disease, cholecystitis, diabetic foot and superficial venous insufficiency. The telemedicine program has allowed us to bring high specialty consults with great productivity, efficiency, less wait time and cost-benefit impact, along with a high quality of humane care. Resident physicians do their social service in a positive manner, with a permanent consultation office and a program of continuing medical education.