A Cloud-Based Smartphone Solution for Transmitting Bio-Signals From an Emergency Response Vehicle

2. Related Works

In 2003, Roberto J Rodrigues and Ahmad Risk (Rodrigues & Risk, 2003) presented a review of health trends and issues in the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in introducing eHealth technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean. They have proposed actions that can be followed for the faster development of eHealth technologies in the region. The authors conclude that the region is currently not prepared for adopting the ICT. Another research by Ricardo Cardoso et al. (Cardoso et al., 2007) was conducted for providing specialized ICT related to healthcare systems in remote communities like the ones in the Amazon region. It was concluded that telemedicine can be really effective in diagnosing dermatology related illness. In the study conducted by (Martínez, Villarroel, Seoane, & Del Pozo, 2004) in January 2001 and May 2002 for measuring the effectiveness of telemedicine systems implemented in 39 sites across Amazon region of Peru. An improved consultation rate of 3 per month per facility to 23 and 205 emergency transfers was observed. Nursing technicians with basic computer knowledge were able to adapt to the ICTs after training sessions for ten days. R Wootton, in his paper (Wootton, 1997) addresses the practical aspects of telemedicine and concludes that even though it is useful for providing health care in developing countries, there is no practical experience to learn from and worry about if additional resources are available. Telemedicine might not be best for such cases.