The use of modern e-health services including telemedicine and telepharmacy for remote patient care in Saudi Arabia
BACKGROUND: Numerous preventive measures and regulations including electronic health (e-health) services were implemented during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite their importance, very little is known about their use. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the use of e-health application...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Family and Community Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfcm.jfcm_246_24 |
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| Summary: | BACKGROUND:
Numerous preventive measures and regulations including electronic health (e-health) services were implemented during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite their importance, very little is known about their use. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the use of e-health application by healthcare providers (HCPs), and assess their awareness, perceptions, and practices of such services.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted during July to September 2024 using online self-administered questionnaires. Participants were selected using convenient sampling technique supplemented by snowball sampling. The calculated sample size was 218 participants. Data was collected through an online pretested English-language questionnaire. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze data; Chi-square test was used to examine the associations between HCPs’ responses regarding perceived benefits, risks, and needs related to e-health tools.
RESULTS:
Of the 471 survey participants who started filling out the survey, 64% (n=300) reported using e-health services since coronavirus disease and were included in the final analysis. Female HCPs used e-health applications twice as often as males, and a decline in e-health use was seen with increasing age of participants. Most common purpose for using e-health services were treatment (61%), consultations (60%), and follow up with patient (54%). The most used e-health tools were telephones or cell phones (69.0%) and WhatsApp applications (64.0%) followed by Zoom application (50.0%) and Sehhaty application. Technical problems such as poor internet connection and automatic updates of applications were reported by more than half of the users (52%). Participants reported perceived risks regarding privacy and data protection, and clinical risks associated with using e-health tools.
CONCLUSION:
HCPs’ positive experiences with e-health services in Saudi Arabia, valued for their cost-effectiveness and efficiency. However, patient misinterpretation, privacy risks, and clinical errors persist. Growing demand underscores the need for more explicit e-health regulations and broader professional involvement to enhance e-health service. |
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| ISSN: | 2229-340X |