Patients’ Attitude and Satisfaction with Telemedicine and Electronic Health Clinics in Aseer Healthy Cities, Saudi Arabia

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.