Telemedicine Integration in Southern Indian Primary Health Clinics: Patient Adherence and Outcomes Analysis in São Tomé and Príncipe

Telemedicine has shown promise in improving access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved regions such as Southern India and São Tomé and Príncipe. This study aims to assess the integration of telemedicine into primary health clinics. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from clinical records with qualitative insights through interviews and focus groups. Data were collected over a period of one year, focusing on patient demographics, service usage patterns, and health outcomes. Patient adherence to telemedicine services was notably higher among those who received follow-up consultations (95% adherence rate), indicating the effectiveness of personalized support in maintaining treatment continuity. The integration of telemedicine into primary healthcare clinics has demonstrated significant improvements in patient adherence and health outcomes, particularly for patients requiring frequent monitoring or complex care. Further studies should explore long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Implementation strategies should include training for both healthcare providers and patients to maximise the benefits of telemedicine. Treatment effect was estimated with logit(pᵢ)=β₀+β^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.