Information and Communications Technologies Health Projects in Panama: A Systematic Review and their Relation with Public Policies | Journal of Medical Systems Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Information and Communications Technologies Health Projects in Panama: A Systematic Review and their Relation with Public Policies

  • Systems-Level Quality Improvement
  • Published:
Journal of Medical Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents a review about Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) health projects in Panama. The main contribution is to provide a vision of the situation in Panama, allowing an understanding of the dynamics of health policies and how they have affected the implementation of ICT’s Projects to improve the health of Panamanians. We analyze the projects found with ICT’s in health of Panama, which allow us to see a perspective of projects information is obtained from 2000 to 2016, however it is important to highlight that there may be other projects that we do not know because we did not find enough information or evidence of the same. That is why this review has interviews with key personnel, who have guided us with the search for information. 56% of technology projects are concentrated in the capital city and only 16% in the province of Chiriquí. 64% of these projects are focused on the development of information systems, mainly focused on electronic patient registration. And 60% refers to projects related to primary health care. The MINSA and CSS both with a 20% participation in ICT project, in addition we can notice the dispersion of projects for hospitals, where each one is developing programs per their needs or priorities. The national information about ICT projects of Health, it has been notorious the state of dispersion and segmented of public health information. We consider that it is a natural consequence of Policy in Panamanian Health System. This situation limits the information retrieval and knowledge of ICT in Health of Panama. To stakeholders, this information is directed so that health policies are designed towards a more effective and integral management, administering the ICT’s as tools for the well-being of most the Panamanian population, including indigenous group.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Japan)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ministry of Health - Panama, Panama Health Profile, Panamá, 2015. http://www.minsa.gob.pa/sites/default/files/publicaciones/asis_2015.pdf.

  2. WHO: World Health Organization, WHO | Health policy, WHO. 2013. http://www.who.int/topics/health_policy/en/. Accessed 20 Nov 2016.

  3. S.S.F. of Panama, Projects of Social Security Fund of Panama, Proj. Soc. Secur. Fund Panama. n.d., 2017. http://www.css.gob.pa/nuestrosproyectos.html. Accessed 7 Jan 2017.

  4. Herrick, D.M., Medical tourism: Global competition in health care. Natl Cent Policy Anal. 304:6, 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Banta, D., Health technology assessment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 25:253–254, 2009. doi:10.1017/S0266462309090710.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. WHO: World Health Organization, WHO | Technology, Health, WHO. 2016. http://www.who.int/topics/technology_medical/en/. Accessed 4 Dec 2016.

  7. Reveiz, L., Elias, V., Terry, R.F., Alger, J., and Becerra-Posada, F., Comparison of national health research priority-setting methods and characteristics in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2002–2012. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 34:1–13, 2013 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24006014. Accessed 7 Feb 2017.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Alger, J., Becerra-Posada, F., Kennedy, A., Martinelli, E., and Cuervo, L.G., Grupo Colaborativo de la Primera Conferencia Latinoamericana de Investigación e Innovación para la Salud, [National health research systems in Latin America: a 14-country review]. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 26:447–457, 2009 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20107697. Accessed 15 Mar 2017.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Pichon-Riviere, A., Augustovski, F., Rubinstein, A., Martí, S.G., Sullivan, S.D., and Drummond, M.F., Health technology assessment for resource allocation decisions: Are key principles relevant for Latin America? Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 26:421–427, 2010. doi:10.1017/S0266462310001042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. McGregor, M., and Brophy, J.M., End-user involvement in health technology assessment (HTA) development: A way to increase impact. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 21:263–267, 2005 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15921068. Accessed 8 Feb 2017.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wild, C., and Langer, T., Emerging health technologies: Informing and supporting health policy early. Health Policy (New York). 87:160–171, 2008. doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2008.01.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Banta, D., and Jonsson, E., History of HTA: Introduction. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 25:1–6, 2017. doi:10.1017/S0266462309090321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Goetghebeur, M.M., Wagner, M., Khoury, H., Levitt, R.J., Erickson, L.J., and Rindress, D., Bridging health technology assessment (HTA) and efficient health care decision making with Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA): Applying the EVIDEM framework to medicines appraisal, n.d., 2011. doi:10.1177/0272989X11416870.

  14. M. of H. Panama, Ministry of Health Panama Experience in Telemedicine, Panama, 2012.

  15. World Bank, Study of public expenditure and social institutions, DC 20433, USA, 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Data Base of World Bank, Dataset, 2014. http://databank.bancomundial.org/data/reports.aspx?source=2&series=SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS&country=PAN.

  17. I.T.C. of Panama, PAHO - WHO, HMN - Health Metrics Network: “Diagnosis of the health information system,” Panama, 2007.

  18. CEPAL, The role of information and communication technologies in reducing inequities in health, Colombia. 2012.

  19. Ministry of Health - Panama, 2016 Budget, Budget, 2016, pp. 2. http://www.minsa.gob.pa/sites/default/files/transparencia/finanzas_web_mes_diciembre_2016.pdf. Accessed 7 Feb 2017.

  20. P.A.H.O. (PAHO), Lista de iniciativas | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, List. Iniciativas E-Salud. n.d. Panama. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=239&ps=Panama. Accessed 10 Feb 2017.

  21. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Telemedicina – Chiriquí, 2012. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=403&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  22. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Hosp. St. Tomas – Hist, 2003. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=405&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  23. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Curso Online Ulatina, 2000. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=396&lang=es. Accessed Mar 18 2017.

  24. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Ficha Electrónica Digit. Basada En Estándares CIE-10 Y HL7, 2013. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=392&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  25. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Gener. Estadístico Neonatos. 2013. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=402&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  26. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Hosp. Matern. Infant. JOSÉ DOMINGO OBALDÍA, (Historia Clínica Electrónica), 2015. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=400&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  27. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Inst. Conmem. GORGAS (Sistema Lab. Silab, 2011. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=406&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  28. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Inst. ONCOLÓGICO Nac. (Registro Médico Electrónico), 2003. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=404&lang=es. Accessed 18 March 2017.

  29. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Sume 911, 2007. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=394&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Sume 911- Panama, ¿Quiénes Somos? – Salvar vidas depende de ti., ¿Quienes Somos?. 2017. http://www.sume911.pa/quienes-somos/. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  31. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Fichas Técnicas – MINSA. 2011. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=416&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  32. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, CSS-Riesgo Prof. 2013. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=412&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  33. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Cent. Contacto- CSS. 2011. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=409&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  34. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Perinat. - MINSA. 2012. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=414&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  35. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, CSS APP. 2013. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=411&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  36. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, VIH -MINSA. 2014. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=415&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  37. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, The Cloud -Panama. 2011. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=393&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  38. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Exped. Clin. - MINSA. 2013. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=413&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  39. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Regist. Med. Electron. - CSS. 2012. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=408&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  40. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Regist. Cancer Panama- MINSA. 2011. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=417&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  41. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Teleradilogia- CSS. 2014. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=410&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  42. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Unidad Movil LAB. 2016. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=407&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  43. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Brazalete- Hosp. San Fernando. 2007. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=398&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  44. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Hosp. Chiriquí. 2014. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=399&lang=es. Accessed 20 Mar 2017.

  45. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Hist. Clin. Hosp. San Fernando. 2007. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=397&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  46. Hospital San Fernando, Información del Paciente | Clínica Hospital San Fernando en Panamá, Inf. Paciente. n.d., 2017. http://www.hospitalsanfernando.com/www/es/informacion-del-paciente. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  47. PAHO, Detalles de la iniciativa | Portal de Iniciativas de eSalud, Clin. Web. 2006. http://www.paho.org/ict4health/projects/?page_id=190&ps=Panama&id=395&lang=es. Accessed 18 Mar 2017.

  48. Perry, L., and Malkin, R., Effectiveness of medical equipment donations to improve health systems: How much medical equipment is broken in the developing world? Med Biol Eng Comput. 49:719–722, 2011. doi:10.1007/s11517-011-0786-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Vega, S., National Telemedicine and Telehealth Program in Panama, EconPapers. 2010. http://econpapers.repec.org/paper/ecrcol093/35248.htm. Accessed 20 Mar 2017.

  50. Litewka, S., Telemedicina: Un desafío para América Latina. Acta Bioeth. 11:127–132, 2005. doi:10.4067/S1726-569X2005000200003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Novillo-Ortiz, D., Hernández-Pérez, T., and Saigí-Rubió, F., Availability of information in public health on the internet: An analysis of national health authorities in the Spanish-speaking Latin American and Caribbean countries. Int J Med Inform. 100:46–55, 2017. doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2017.01.013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Saldaña, J., and Vargas-Lombardo, M., eHealth management platform for screening and prediction of Down’s syndrome in the Republic of Panama. E-Health Telecommun Syst Networks. 3:33–42, 2014. doi:10.4236/etsn.2014.33005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. de la Torre-Díez, I., González, S., and López-Coronado, M., EHR Systems in the Spanish Public Health National System: The lack of interoperability between primary and specialty care. J Med Syst. 37:9914, 2013. doi:10.1007/s10916-012-9914-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Rozenblum, R., Donzé, J., Hockey, P.M., Guzdar, E., Labuzetta, M.A., Zimlichman, E., and Bates, D.W., The impact of medical informatics on patient satisfaction: A USA-based literature review. Int J Med Inform. 82:141–158, 2013. doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2012.12.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Moreno, D., and Vargas-Lombardo, M., Towards a model of knowledge extraction of text mining for palliative care patients in Panama. Int. J. Technol. 5. 2016. http://www.ijstr.org/final-print/july2016/Towards-A-Model-Of-Knowledge-Extraction-Of-Text-Mining-For-Palliative-Care-Patients-In-Panama.pdf.

  56. CEPAL, Telemedicine presents itself as a health solution in rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Santiago, Chile, 2010 http://www.cepal.org/socinfo/noticias/paginas/3/44733/newsletter12.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  57. American Telemedicine Association. 2017. http://www.americantelemed.org/main/membership/ata-members/regional-chapters/latin-american-caribbean-chapter.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research has been partially supported by the European Commission under the project ICT-24-2016–732375 named “FocusLocus: ADHD management Gaming System for educational achievement and social inclusion”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technological University of Panama, Vía Centenario, Ancón, Panama

    Gema Anabel Castillo Sánchez & Aranzazu Berbey

  2. Department of Signal Theory and Communications, and Telematics Engineering, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 15, 47011, Valladolid, Spain

    Gema Anabel Castillo Sánchez, Isabel de la Torre-Díez & Miguel López-Coronado

Authors
  1. Gema Anabel Castillo Sánchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aranzazu Berbey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Isabel de la Torre-Díez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  4. Miguel López-Coronado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isabel de la Torre-Díez.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Systems-Level Quality Improvement

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sánchez, G.A.C., Berbey, A., de la Torre-Díez, I. et al. Information and Communications Technologies Health Projects in Panama: A Systematic Review and their Relation with Public Policies. J Med Syst 41, 110 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0755-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0755-y

Keywords