Hayoun Yonatan, Gannot Israel
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Int J Circumpolar Health. 2025 Dec;84(1):2438429. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2438429. Epub 2024 Dec 17.
The Arctic region, characterised by its remote and geographically challenging environment, is home to predominantly Indigenous populations who experience significant healthcare disparities compared to urban counterparts. This paper synthesises evidence on the persistent challenges in delivering healthcare in the Arctic, including geographical remoteness, healthcare personnel shortages, and cultural and language barriers. Telehealth emerges as a crucial solution, offering a nuanced approach to overcoming physical and systemic barriers. We review current implementations of telehealth in the Arctic, highlighting successful adaptations to local cultural contexts and technological limitations. By integrating a patient-centred approach, infrastructure readiness, and relevant telehealth services, a holistic healthcare delivery model tailored for the Arctic environment is proposed. New type of technologies is also proposed to enhance remote care possibilities. This paper underscores the need for collaborative efforts in research, policy making, and healthcare provision to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of health services in the Arctic, aiming to close the gap in health equity. Key references from seminal works and recent studies provide a foundation for the discussions and recommendations presented.
北极地区环境偏远且地理条件具有挑战性，主要居住着原住民，与城市居民相比，他们面临着显著的医疗保健差距。本文综合了有关在北极地区提供医疗保健方面持续存在的挑战的证据，包括地理位置偏远、医疗人员短缺以及文化和语言障碍。远程医疗成为一种关键解决方案，提供了一种细致入微的方法来克服物理和系统障碍。我们回顾了当前北极地区远程医疗的实施情况，强调了对当地文化背景和技术限制的成功适应。通过整合以患者为中心的方法、基础设施准备情况和相关远程医疗服务，提出了一种针对北极环境量身定制的整体医疗保健提供模式。还提出了新型技术以增强远程护理可能性。本文强调了在研究、政策制定和医疗保健提供方面进行合作的必要性，以确保北极地区卫生服务的可持续性和有效性，旨在缩小健康公平差距。开创性著作和近期研究的关键参考文献为所提出的讨论和建议提供了基础。
