Retracted: Implementation of a telemedicine service during COVID‐19 pandemic in Pakistan

Abstract

Aim In this feasibility study, we aimed to implement a pilot telemedicine service at our healthcare facility in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and describe our experience. Methods Telemedicine service was established by Faisalabad Medical University at two of its affiliated locations: (i) a 24‐hour COVID‐19 Telephone Helpline was established at the Director Emergency Office, Allied Hospital, and District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital. (ii) A Telemedicine Clinic comprising consultants and postgraduate residents from different specialties was established at Chief Office, Allied Hospital. The data related to the number and categories of calls and advice provided were collected from 27th March 2020 to 31st July 2020. Results A total of 4582 calls were received, at both locations, during the study period, out of which 2325 callers (51%) were male, and 2257 (49%) were females. At Allied Hospital, 172 patients were advised accordingly for their complaints, whereas, at DHQ Hospital, 320 patients were advised accordingly for their complaints. At the Telemedicine Clinic only, a total of 2436 calls were received during the study period, 1474 (60%) callers were male, and 962 (40%) were female. The majority of the calls were received by medicine (43%), dermatology (21%), and paediatrics (11%) specialties, respectively. Conclusion Despite some limitations, the benefits of telemedicine in this COVID‐19 era are enormous and it is feasible to implement telemedicine services in developing countries. The developing countries must invest in the internet and technology access to facilitate telemedicine and other e‐health services for not only curbing this pandemic but also to promote a more efficient healthcare system after the pandemic.

Psychological Distress, Anxiety, Family Violence, Suicidality, and Wellbeing in Pakistan During the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Our study like any other study is not devoid of limitations. The study was based on an online survey, which creates a population bias, especially since in Pakistan, most people from remote areas and from lower socio demographics have restricted access to smartphones, laptops, or computers through which they could have filled the survey form ( Nagra et al, 2021 ). Hence, our sample population is not representative of the general population.…”

Emergency services in Pakistan: challenges, efforts, and recommendations: correspondence

“…Long-distance consultations in telemedicine, as well as remotely monitoring of patients and follow-up have long been a staple of the health care system. One paper describes how a telemedicine service was successfully deployed in Faisalabad, Pakistan, during the COVID-19 epidemic, adding to the growing body of data emphasizing that despite certain limitations, telemedicine services may be administered affordably in underdeveloped nations [14] .…”

A Systematic Review of the Adoption of eHealth Cloud-based Technology Applications during COVID-19

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