Abstract

Status of Telemedicine Use and Physician Satisfaction at Public Health Care Centers at King Abdulaziz Medical Center, Riyadh

Objectives: To assess PHC physicians’ satisfaction with the use of telemedicine, and to assess the current status and use of telemedicine at national guard primary care clinics. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all primary healthcare physicians, with previous experience in telemedicine, working at primary healthcare centers at the National Guard Hospital, including the Health Care Specialty Center (HCSC), National Guard Comprehensive Specialized Clinic (NGCSC), King Abdulaziz city housing (Iskan Yarmouk), Prince Bader Housing Clinics (PBHC), Employee Health Centers (EHC), and King Saudi city housing (Dirab PHC) in early 2022. In addition, the study included all residents of the family medicine residency training program. Results: This study included 115 participants; more than half were less than 35 years old 72 (62.6%), and 70 (60.9%) were women. There were 22 (19.1%), 49 (42.6%), and 54 (47%) participants who had positive attitudes, and positive perceptions, and were satisfied, respectively. Conclusion: The responses from our study suggest that there is increased physician satisfaction with telemedicine. Young physicians were more satisfied than older physicians. There was a strong agreement that telemedicine could reduce unnecessary outpatient visits.

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