Remote Nutritional Care in Isolated Communities: Development and Validation of a Prototype (#1792)

Authors

García Mejía, Jorge Alberto

Laínez Sandoval, Julio José

Juárez Valladares, Miguel Humberto

Cáceres Teruel, Yaro Josué

Abstract

The limited access to healthcare services in La Mosquitia, Honduras, presents a significant challenge for nutritional care. This study presents the development of a telemedicine prototype system focused on nutrition to overcome these barriers. Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), the system enables remote consultations with specialists, reducing geographical limitations and improving access to diagnoses and treatments. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining expert interviews and data analysis from the region. The results showed a high prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Challenges were identified, including healthcare personnel's resistance to adopting digital platforms and dependence on government support, which affects the sustainability of initiatives. The prototype was developed on WordPress, integrating tools for appointment scheduling and video calls. Internal tests and user trials indicated a positive response, highlighting ease of use and the integration of tools for remote consultations. This study contributes to evaluating the feasibility of a telemedicine-based nutritional care model in rural areas and establishes the minimum infrastructure requirements to ensure its operability.