Olasunbo Okesola’s Research Highlights Advantages and Challenges Related to New Technologies

To better understand the adoption of telemedicine technologies in the Nigerian healthcare industry and propose ways to improve it, Wittenborg graduate Olasunbo Okesola chose this topic for her thesis research. Originally from Lagos, the most populous city in Nigeria, Okesola recently completed an MBA degree in Health & Social Care.

According to her, the current implementation of telemedicine in the Nigerian healthcare industry is still below average, requiring significant improvements in both urban and rural contexts. “This is a relevant and interesting topic, and I decided to research it for my thesis after studying it during one of my courses,” the graduate points out.

Titled ‘Investigative Study on the Accessibility and Affordability of Telemedicine Among Patients in the Nigerian Medical Industry’, Okesola’s research is based on a mixed-methods approach.

In order to gather quantitative data, she administered a survey to 271 participants, out of which 200 were patients who had previously used telemedicine and 71 were doctors and nurses experienced in the use of telemedicine resources.

Additionally, she interviewed 10 doctors and nurses who have used telemedicine technologies to provide medical services.

Among other topics, her survey and interviews addressed how accessible and affordable telemedicine is in Nigeria, as well as the quality of the services and the digital infrastructure and literacy associated with the use of these resources. Participants were also questioned about their previous experience of telemedicine, the circumstances in which they have used these technologies and the policies and measures that could be implemented in Nigeria to disseminate these innovations.

Okesola’s study concludes that the level of accessibility and affordability of telemedicine services among patients in Nigeria is still a work in progress and requires more attention and awareness.

Nevertheless, these technologies offer considerable advantages when compared to in-person medical services. In addition to making healthcare services more accessible and affordable, telemedicine improves patient-provider relationship regardless of location. Moreover, it makes patients’ medical records and appointments easily accessible, which helps track and monitor their condition effectively.

The study also underscores the limitations of telemedicine. Among them is the fact that it can be more costly if not properly managed by the government, and also that it might not work if there is lack of maintenance. Another problem is the lack of awareness of these technologies among people living in the rural regions of Nigeria as well as in some of the country’s urban areas.

Okesola’s research interests are connected to her career plans. “I would like to work as a healthcare administrator and also further my education by pursuing a PhD,” she highlights. 
 

WUP 19/07/2024
by Ulisses Sawczuk
©WUAS Press