Cervical cancer, innovative strategies in the decentralization of knowledge and its management. ECHO Uruguay Project
Keywords:
UTERINE CERVICAL NEOPLASMS, PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES, ECHO URUGUAY PROJECTAbstract
ECHO (Extension of Community Health Outcomes) Project is a global initiative which aims to improve access of rural populations to specialized health care service, by means of using communication technologies. It was introduced in Uruguay in 2014 and it has addressed several conditions already.
The Gynecotological Clinic A of the School of Medicine has developed ECHO Tele-Clinics to address prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in Uruguay on a monthly basis, since June 2015 and until today.
The study aims to present the results obtained in Project ECHO in Uruguay in the prevention of cervical cancer.
13 Tele-Clinics on cervical cancer were developed from June 2015 until July 2016. Professionals of six departments around Uruguay – Paysandú, Rivera, Tacuarembó, San José, Colonia and Montevideo - participated of them, and 9 healthcare centers took part of the initiative. 21 clinical cases were discussed, answers were provided for the queries submitted and an update on relevant aspects of the condition was given. The Tele-Clinics involved specialists in different areas: clinical gynecologists, gynecologists specialized in the genital tract, pathologists, imagenology specialists, oncologists, radiotherapists, and gynecology residents. Average number of participants was 15.
The Project has enabled the homogenization of diagnostic criteria as well as a sustained update on all aspects of the disease in the handling of cervical cancer.