Medical teleconsultations: A way out of the healthcare provision crisis? Initial findings from Normandy.
Type de matériel :
94
Since 2018, and at an ever-increasing pace, private companies have been setting up medical teleconsultation booths and kiosks across France in easily accessible public places, mainly in pharmacies. These installations, which are being developed by companies belonging to the French Tech movement, have a dual objective: to combat medical desertification and anticipate the effects of France's aging population, based on the premise that, as citizens live for longer, national healthcare needs will become ever greater. Against a backdrop of discourse decrying the neglect of rural areas, and with the agreement and sometimes active participation of local public actors, private teleconsultation kiosks are rapidly being rolled out nationwide. However, such solutions form part of a wider movement of “technological solutionism” and are presented as a cure-all for the crisis gripping the health and social sector, which continues to worsen throughout the country. The situation in Normandy reveals that the ongoing roll-out of medical teleconsultation booths is making good headway in medically vulnerable areas, but sufficient progress is yet to be seen in the areas hardest hit by doctor shortages. The article concludes with initial feedback from users, ultimately showing that these installations are appreciated above all for their ability to respond to medical emergencies and offer follow-up care to patients who do not necessarily live in zones affected by medical desertification.
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