JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Tackling global health challenges demands the appropriate use of available technologies. Although digital health could significantly improve healthcare access, use, quality and outcomes, the realization of this possibility requires personnel trained in digital health. There is a growing evidence of the benefits of digital health for improving the performance of health systems and outcomes in developed countries. Yet, important gaps remain in resource-constrained settings. Technological and sociocultural disparities between different regions or between provinces within the same country are common. Rural areas, where the promise and need are greatest, are particular deprived. In Latin America, there is an unmet need for training and building capacity of professionals in digital health. This viewpoint paper aims to present a selection of experiences in building capacity in digital health in Latin America to illustrate a series of challenges and opportunities for strengthening digital health training programs in resource constrained environments. These describe how a successful digital health ecosystem for Latin America requires culturally relevant and collaborative research and training programs in digital health. These programs should be responsive to the needs of all relevant regional stakeholders including government agencies, non-government organizations, industry, academic or research entities, professional societies, and communities. The paper highlights the role that collaborative partnerships can play in sharing resources, experiences and lessons learned between countries to optimize training and research opportunities in Latin America.