The COVID-19 Telemedicine Centers (Cetec) were an initiative by national governments and universities in Argentina, their objective was to provide monitoring to patients with non-severe COVID-19 infections.
The Provincial Health Congress (COSAPRO) was held in the city of Mar del Plata and included the participation of members of the Cetec of the National University of the South (UNS). At the event, a research paper was presented on the quality of care for the more than 30,000 users who received advice and telephone monitoring during the pandemic.
In the city of Bahía Blanca, province of Buenos Aires, the UNS Cetec began operating in August 2020. In this way, thanks to the work of university students who served as volunteers, the UNS was able to provide a response to the increase in cases of COVID-19 in the area.
By phone or video, the volunteers carried out remote monitoring and follow-up of patients who were in preventive isolation due to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
Cetec UNS began with 36 students from the Department of Health Sciences, who received a scholarship, and later, in April 2021, scholarships were provided to ten new volunteers.
The study entitled "Evaluation of the quality of care and satisfaction of users assisted from the COVID-19 Telemedicine Center of the city of Bahía Blanca" by Cetec UNS, received the award in the "Management" category.
“The presentation was based on surveys of users of the telemedicine center evaluating the quality of care, and we showed that the objectives set when CETEC was launched were met. In addition, we were able to do a good methodological job, which is something that is also evaluated in these meetings” explained Manuela Camarero, one of the authors of the study.
The study showed a positive response from users of this service during follow-up, since the 90% considered that their concerns were resolved. Likewise, the 94% said they felt accompanied or very accompanied during this process.
In addition to the Cetec UNS, universities in Avellaneda, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, among others, carried out a constant work of monitoring patients by telemedicine. This strategy was implemented by the Ministry of Health of the province of Buenos Aires.
