|
Abstract
Background:
Telemedicine was integrated
into the medical sector to
provide information and communication
technologies and achieve more
effective treatments. Telemedicine
service has a pivotal role
during the coronavirus pandemic
enabling healthcare providers
to communicate and follow
up with patients, especially
elderly patients, or those
with chronic conditions. Patient
satisfaction is an effective
indicator to assess that service.
Aim:
To assess the attitude and
satisfaction of patients with
telemedicine and e-clinics
in Aseer Healthy Cities.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study
was performed at the medical
centers that provided telemedicine
clinics in seven healthy cities
in Aseer (Abha, Bisah, Balgarn,
Muhayel, Alharajah, Tareeb,
and Alamwah) during 2023.
The study was conducted in
seven cities on patients who
were served by telemedicine,
using a valid-written questionnaire
that was sent electronically.
Results:
A total of 497 patients participated
in this study; 50.3% were
females, and most of the patients,
81.5%, used E-clinics 1-3
times. A small percent reported
having worries about e-clinics
(35.8%) and found confusion
while using it (29.8%). The
mean±SD of the satisfaction
score was 4.306±0.8.
The determinants of satisfaction
included age (P<0.0001),
medical insurance (P<0.0001),
and family doctor (P<0.0001).
There was a positive attitude
among patients toward using
e-clinics. Participants reported
that using e-clinics is better
than doctors’ visits,
they will use it again and
will recommend it, (36.2%,
51.1%, and 57.5%, respectively).
Conclusion:
Patients are satisfied
with the telemedicine and
e-clinic healthcare services,
and they have positive attitudes
toward them. This reflects
improvements in healthcare
services provided by Aseer
Healthy Cities.
Keywords:
Attitude, Telemedicine, Satisfaction,
Healthcare services, Saudi
Arabia.
|
