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  4. Healthcare providers’ perception and barriers concerning the use of telehealth applications in saudi arabia: a cross-sectional study
 
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Healthcare providers’ perception and barriers concerning the use of telehealth applications in saudi arabia: a cross-sectional study
File(s)
healthcare-10-01527-v2.pdf (420.13 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Alghamdi, Saeed
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: Telehealth services are widely used in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, neither the use rate nor the attitudes, perceptions, and barriers concerning telehealth applications have been evaluated nationally from the perspective of healthcare providers (HCPs). Aim: This study aims to explore the use rate of telehealth, as well as the attitudes, perceptions, and barriers concerning telehealth use in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of HCPs. Methods and design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and distributed to all HCPs between 16 November 2021 and 16 March 2022, through an online platform (Survey Monkey). Results: Overall, 1034 HCPs completed the online survey, of which 65.0% (n = 677) were male. Physicians accounted for 22.34%, while nurses and respiratory therapists accounted for 22.34% and 21.47%, respectively. Only 491 HCPs (47%) have used telehealth applications, the majority for less than a year (21.47%) or from one to three years (14.51%). Around 44% of HCPs perceived telehealth as being useful in quality and care delivery. Around 43% of HCPs felt comfortable using telehealth, and 45.45% perceived telehealth as being useful for patients with transportation difficulties. Additionally, 38% believed that telehealth provides a confidential way of protecting patients’ information, and 36% would like to receive more training in telehealth. Speech-language therapists and public health professionals were the highest HCP users (98% and 95%, respectively), while general physicians and dentists were the lowest users (44% and 55%, respectively). Lack of time or a busy schedule was the most common barrier to not using telehealth among all HCPs (38%). Conclusion: The use of telehealth was perceived as being positive as well as valuable and confidential in monitoring and providing care. However, challenges such as the lack of time or a busy schedule impeded the use of telehealth among HCPs in Saudi Arabia.
Date Issued
2022-08-13
Date Acceptance
2022-08-06
Citation
Healthcare, 2022, 10 (8), pp.1-11
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/98975
URL
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/8/1527
DOI
https://www.dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081527
ISSN
2227-9032
Publisher
MDPI
Start Page
1
End Page
11
Journal / Book Title
Healthcare
Volume
10
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Identifier
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/8/1527
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2022-08-13
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