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. 2025 Jul 9:3:oqaf015.
doi: 10.1093/oodh/oqaf015. eCollection 2025.

Bridging the gap: A program case study of the Regional Telemedicine Center of an apex medical center in Southwestern Mindanao, Philippines

Jaime Kristoffer Punzalan  1   2   3 , Mary Germeyn Punzalan  1   2 , Jessa Mayet Sumatra-Mabalot  1   4 , Tristan Jay Amit  1 , Louie Virgil Gallardo  1 , Marichelle Valeros  1   2 , Afdal Kunting  1   2
Affiliations

Bridging the gap: A program case study of the Regional Telemedicine Center of an apex medical center in Southwestern Mindanao, Philippines

Jaime Kristoffer Punzalan et al. Oxf Open Digit Health. .

Abstract

Telemedicine is increasingly recognized as a strategic solution for enhancing healthcare access in isolated areas like the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines. This study examines the implementation and factors affecting the adoption and effectiveness of the Zamboanga City Medical Center Regional Telemedicine Center, which facilitates specialist care and real-time provider collaboration. Despite its benefits in reducing travel and enhancing patient outcomes, adoption is hindered by challenges such as unreliable network connectivity and complex user interfaces. Key contextual factors-technical, organizational, ethical, financial, political, legal, and socioeconomic-necessitate comprehensive policy improvements, training, and infrastructure upgrades. The study concludes that the success of telemedicine depends on comprehensive support systems and standardized practices to ensure consistent quality and advance regional health coverage.

Keywords: UTAUT2; health systems and policy; health workforce; specialty care; telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to the publication of this paper. All authors are affiliated with the institution where the regional telemedicine center is established; however, independent consultants were engaged during the study to enhance objectivity and minimize potential institutional bias.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Partner institutions of the RTC. The red pin on the map shows the position of the Apex Medical Center on the Zamboanga peninsula.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Web application system architecture of the RTC.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportions of healthcare personnel on the 7-point Likert scale based on the unified theory of acceptance and utilization for technology (UTAUT 2) for telemedicine
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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