title: [Cardiology in rural areas].
abstract: Based on a personal experience after having established a cardiology clinic in the town of Arroyo (Puerto Rico), we analyzed the patient population served and the services that were rendered. After collecting the data from the clinical files, we were able to obtain information on diagnosis, follow-up, diagnostic test and therapeutic procedures performed. In general, it was found that only a minority of patients needed long term cardiology follow-up and specialized diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. In conclusion we established that the presence of a cardiology clinic in the rural areas is reasonable, if their function remains as merely consultative.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad del Sur de la Florida.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cintrón
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Arroyo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002309:Cardiology; D002648:Child; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006761:Hospitals; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico
vernacular_title: Cardiología en la ruralia.