title: A Parkinson's disease tele-education program for health care providers in Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Sub-Saharan countries, most patients with Parkinson's disease are underdiagnosed and untreated, with a marked shortage of qualified personnel.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a tele-education Parkison's disease program for health providers in Douala (Cameroon).
  
  
  METHODS
  Feasibility, satisfaction, pre-post course medical knowledge improvement and patients' access were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty lectures over the course of a year which connected participants with movement disorder experts using live, synchronous video conferences, and teaching materials were given. Thirty-three health professionals (52.4% women) including 16 doctors, and 17 allied health professionals and 18 speakers participated. Videoconferences were successfully completed in 80%, participation ranged from 20% to 70%, and satisfaction was at least above average in 70% of the participants. Whereas medical knowledge was dramatically improved, post-course patient access was not changed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tele-education for movement disorders in low-income countries is feasible. However, better access and patient care should be ensured as the final outcome for tele-health education. A sustainability plan is crucial to continue with this important need.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Burgos, Burgos, Spain. Electronic address: mcubo@saludcastillayleon.es.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cubo
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Laquintinie Hospital, Burgos, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doumbe
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences and Applied Psychology, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Erero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Njiengwe
authors.affiliation: Recherche et Développement SkyVision Cameroon, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Onana
authors.affiliation: Centro Servicios Avanzados, Spain.
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garoña
authors.affiliation: Centro Servicios Avanzados, Spain.
authors.forename: Josue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alcalde
authors.affiliation: Centro Servicios Avanzados, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seco
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Burgos, Burgos, Spain.
authors.forename: Natividad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mariscal
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Laquintinie Hospital, Burgos, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Becky Manyi
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Epundugu
authors.affiliation: Department of Education Science, University of Extremadura, Spain.
authors.forename: Sixto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cubo
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Burgos, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Jesus
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coma
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D049269:Videoconferencing
keywords: Parkinson's disease; Tele-education; Telemedicine