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Bader Altulaihi
King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi ArabiaTitle: Physician’s perception towards using telemedicine during covid-19 pandemic in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Introduction
The novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, was first reported in Wuhan, China in December of 2019. Since that time, medical services in Saudi Arabia have adapted to the situation by delivering medical care via virtual clinics. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess physicians' perception and level of satisfaction with telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study that included family medicine consultants and fellows who had used telemedicine in primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was conducted using an online validated questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 219 family medicine consultants and fellows, after obtaining their informed consent. The data that was extracted from the questionnaire included demographics, level of satisfaction, and questions related to their experience with telemedicine.
Results
219 enrolled in this study with 50.6% males and 49.4% females. Overall level of physicians’ satisfaction with telemedicine was 64.3%. However, only one-third preferred telemedicine over office visits. 60% of those were males and 40% were females. The only factor that had a statistically significant effect on the preference of office visits or telemedicine was time efficiency (p-value <0.001). Of those who preferred office visits over telemedicine, 52% of them cited ease of discussion and the ability to make a comprehensive physical examination as the most important reasons for choosing office visits. Technologic issues were the least important factor for choosing either clinic (4.1%). Of those who preferred telemedicine, avoiding contact with patients suspected of COVID-19 was the most commonly cited factor (27.4%). Family medicine physicians face multiple barriers while using telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic. The most commonly cited barrier was the inability to make a full and comprehensive assessment of the patient.
Conclusions
In the setting of highly transmissible disease epidemics, telemedicine has a lot of potential for providing a quick and safe care that is appropriate for screening and management. Based on our findings, using telemedicine should be encouraged by improving physicians’ skills in this field since telemedicine is a crucial step to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and provide community-wide treatment.
Biography
Bader Altulaihi, M.D., M.Sc., is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
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