Patients' attitude toward telemedicine and e-clinics

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine has emerged as a crucial tool in the medical sector, leveraging information, and communication technologies to enhance healthcare delivery and improve treatment outcomes. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has played a pivotal role in facilitating communication and follow-up with patients, particularly those who are elderly or managing chronic conditions. Patient satisfaction is a key indicator in evaluating the effectiveness of telemedicine services. This study aims to assess the attitude and satisfaction of patients toward telemedicine and e-clinics in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at medical centers offering telemedicine clinics in Saudi Arabia. Saudi patients utilizing telemedicine services participated in the study and completed a valid-written questionnaire electronically. Results: A total of 497 Saudi patients were included in the study, with 50.3% being females. The majority of patients (81.5%) utilized e-clinics 1-3 times. A small percentage of patients expressed fears about e-clinics (35.8%) and found them confusing to use (29.8%). The overall mean satisfaction score was 4.306 ± 0.8. Several factors influenced satisfaction levels, including age (p < 0.0001), medical insurance (p < 0.0001), and having a family doctor (p < 0.0001). Patients exhibited a positive attitude toward using e-clinics, with 36.2%, 51.1%, and 57.5% reporting that e-clinics were superior to in-person doctor visits, they would use e-clinics again, and they would recommend e-clinics, respectively. Conclusion: The study participants showed overall satisfaction with telemedicine and e-clinics, and they exhibited a positive attitude toward these services. These findings highlight the potential of telemedicine to improve healthcare access and patient experiences in Saudi Arabia.