The concept of telemedicine in pediatric rheumatology in Tunisia: Parents' perceptions

Utilization of telehealth services in low- and middle-income countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative summary

“…The virtual consultation reduced the chances of the nosocomial spread of COVID-19 among patients and reduced the likelihood of getting infected among already scared healthcare personnel [ 6 , 8 , 25 , 32 ]. For example, a study in Tunisia found telehealth services to be time-saving as well as to avoid school absenteeism [ 33 ]. Telehealth approach was prominent in cardiac emergencies, orthopedic outpatient departments (OPDs), and services for pregnant women [ 22 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…For example, a study in Brazil found no statistical difference in the level of HbA1c post telehealth program implementation to reduce the triglyceride level for type 2 diabetes [ 50 ]. Furthermore, a study in Tunisia found a lower willingness of parents to accept telemedicine as a model of care [ 33 ].…”

“…Studies in Bangladesh on behavioral intention, in Brazil on mitigating the psychological impact of COVID-19, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson’s disease, in China on dementia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes management, on emergency mHealth use, on retinopathy of prematurity and psychological distress, in Montenegro on neurosurgical care, in Paraguay on postoperative follow-up, in Thailand on type 2 diabetes and Turkey on autoimmune hepatitis, phenylketonuria, breathing exercise, type 2 diabetes, and mental health found a significant improvement in the healthcare services when telehealth services were employed compared to no implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 23 , 24 , 27 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 56–68 ]. However, studies in Egypt on anticoagulants and myocardial infarction,in Georgia on self-injury, in Tunisia on children and adolescent arthritis, in Argentina on epilepsy, and in Brazil on type 2 diabetes management found no significant differences in healthcare service utilisation and overall health outcomes with the implementation of telehealth services [ 33 , 36 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 69 ]. Moreover, additional issues such as lack of detailed history taking, inability to motivate patients properly and lack of adherence to medications, low GDP of the country, high referral rates, and limited experience with communication methods further reduce the efficacy of telehealth services in such economies [ 22 , 45 , 48 , 70 , 71 ].…”

Translational research – Universal parenting challenges and coping with change

“…Thus, the implications of the findings highlight the role of pediatric nurses in providing education and vaccine information to parents to improve attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Parents' perceptions of the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic for children and adolescents with rheumatology disorders in Tunisia were explored ( Makhlouf et al, 2023 ). A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2021 using structured telephone interviews with parents ( N = 40) to determine their preferences with respect to telemedicine.…”

“…Parents' perceptions of the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic for children and adolescents with rheumatology disorders in Tunisia were explored ( Makhlouf et al, 2023 ). A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2021 using structured telephone interviews with parents ( N = 40) to determine their preferences with respect to telemedicine.…”