Assessment of the Efficiency of Virtual Clinics in Hail Hospitals, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual clinics have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional face-to-face medical consultations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of virtual clinics by examining the satisfaction of patients and healthcare providers and their opinions of the virtual clinic service. Method: Data were collected using two separate questionnaires—one distributed to patients and the other to healthcare providers, between January 2023 and October 2023. Results: The analysis revealed that patients, regardless of their demographics, preferred virtual clinics due to reduced waiting times (43.9%), easy access to healthcare professionals (36.7%), and the convenience of receiving medical advice from home (19.8%). Healthcare providers also favoured virtual clinics as they reduced workloads and improved accessibility to health services. However, concerns were identified regarding the limitations of telemedicine in conducting physical examinations and technological barriers for physicians and patients. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended that healthcare providers and patients be encouraged to maximise the use of telemedicine services. Efforts should be made to address barriers, such as technological challenges, and to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to overcome limitations related to physical examinations. By embracing virtual clinics and removing barriers, healthcare delivery can be improved, leading to increased patient satisfaction and reduced provider workload.