Abstract
Family doctors and community health workers are the ones that work closest to the natural environment of a child. They can follow him from his birth up to his teen years, creating an enduring relationship aimed to deliver that care that goes beyond the mere concept of the medical investigation and treatment.
Besides, in the community, many other actors interact with the child and take care of his well-being, starting from families and relatives up to friends, schoolteachers or schoolmates, and coaches and educators in after-school activities. These are precious sources of information, for the early detection of discomforts and health problems, but also a valuable resource for the delivery of care.
A major burden for families and children moreover is related to the hospitalization of the child and to the time spent in a health facility for analyses, monitoring, and treatments, whereas most of the acute and chronic medical conditions in children can be managed at home.
The creation of a net based on telemedicine systems – and centered on the child, in a patient-oriented-based assistance – could help to: early detect and treat health conditions in children, support children and families in a home-based care, and improve the quality of the medical assistance delivered by family doctors and community health workers.
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Capello, F. (2014). The Community. In: Capello, F., Naimoli, A., Pili, G. (eds) Telemedicine for Children's Health. TELe-Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06489-5_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-06489-5_2
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