Nationwide implementation of a centralised telemedicine platform in Singapore to fight the COVID-19 pandemic

Kok, Ta Wei Kevin; Chong, Si Jack; Yau, Wen Kien Joachim; Kumar, Praveen; Chua, Swee Boon Raymond

doi:10.1177/1357633x221122890

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…( 7 ) This consolidated approach allowed for seamless access to data and the tracking of the HRP’s outcomes by health ministry. ( 8 ) As more data were collected, the NSL was further revised to allow a greater proportion of patients to be safely enrolled in the HRP without needing physical clinical assessment, preserving medical resources without compromising safety.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coronavirus disease and home recovery: a Singapore perspective

Tan,

Yau,

Toh

et al. 2023

WPSAR

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Objective: At the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Singapore, the strategy initially involved aggressive ring-fencing of infections, before pivoting towards managing recurrent local interspersed outbreaks of COVID-19. A key feature of Singapore’s efforts to preserve health-care capacity was the implementation of the nationwide Home Recovery Programme (HRP), whereby patients were allowed to recover at home as long as they met certain criteria. The programme was centrally coordinated by Singapore’s Ministry of Health and was supported by telemedicine providers, primary care physicians and government agencies. This report aims to highlight Singapore’s experience in coordinating and implementing the HRP, the challenges faced and the outcomes. Methods: Published and internal data from the Ministry of Health in Singapore, along with policy documents, were reviewed together with a brief literature review of similar programmes conducted globally. Results: Implementation of the HRP led to the majority of patients (98%) recovering from COVID-19 in the outpatient setting, with similar mortality rates to inpatient settings. Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 cases were reduced as compared to previously, alleviating strain on the health-care system. Discussion: The HRP was largely successful at preventing health-care capacities from being overwhelmed, while keeping fatalities to a minimum. Nonetheless, the risks of emergent variants of concern remain present, and heightened vigilance and potential modification of existing protocols based on fluctuations in virulence and infectivity are still needed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coronavirus disease and home recovery: a Singapore perspective

Tan,

Yau,

Toh

et al. 2023

WPSAR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“… Disposition following Tele-consultations. All patients triaged and managed by MOH-appointed TMPs had their tele-consultations documented within MOH's Telemedicine Allocation and Reconciliation System (TMARS) 10 – a bespoke online case management and medical records system developed and iteratively enhanced to support a centrally-administered HRP. Disposition following primary healthcare consults.…”

Section: Setting Up An Integrated National Surveillance System To Ena...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genesis, evolution and effectiveness of Singapore's national sorting logic and home recovery policies in handling the COVID-19 Delta and Omicron waves

Yau¹,

Lee²,

Lim³

et al. 2023

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

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A cross sectional study of role of technology in health for middle-aged and older adults in Singapore

Tan,

Choo,

Iyer

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Telemedicine has gained popularity due to the increasing use of technology in our lives. However, no studies have explored the demographic factors affecting acceptability, desirability and adherence (ADA) to telemedicine in Singapore. Our study aims to evaluate the level of ADA of telemedicine services within demographic factors and to explore the association of potential demographic factors with the degree of acceptability, desirability and adherence of telemedicine among older adults in Singapore. A cross-sectional study was conducted with Singapore citizens or permanent residents aged 40–99 years, who were able to provide informed consent. Interviewers conducted door-to-door surveys in 67 Blocks of Housing & Development Board flats in Singapore, offering a self-administered electronic questionnaire available in four languages. Random sampling without replacement determined the order of blocks, floors and units visited. The questionnaire utilised Qtelemediab scoring and covered sociodemographic data, usage of telemedicine, as well as ADA towards telemedicine. A total of 324 valid responses were analysed. Increased age was associated with a significant decrease across all three domains of ADA namely acceptability (β = − 0.02, 95%CI − 0.03; − 0.02, p -value = 0.002), desirability (β = − 0.02, 95%CI − 0.02; − 0.02, p -value < 0.001) and adherence (β = − 0.02, 95%CI − 0.03; − 0.0.02, p -value < 0.001). Additionally, lower education was associated with a decrease in all domains of ADA. Conversely, employment and increased household income were associated with higher ADA scores across all three domains. These associations were independent of gender, chronic health conditions and smoking history. Older participants with lower income and lesser education demonstrated lower levels of acceptability, desirability and adherence towards telemedicine. Our study highlights the importance of considering these factors in the implementation and promotion of telemedicine solutions.

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Nationwide implementation of a centralised telemedicine platform in Singapore to fight the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 10 publications

References 13 publications

Coronavirus disease and home recovery: a Singapore perspective

Coronavirus disease and home recovery: a Singapore perspective

Genesis, evolution and effectiveness of Singapore's national sorting logic and home recovery policies in handling the COVID-19 Delta and Omicron waves

A cross sectional study of role of technology in health for middle-aged and older adults in Singapore

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