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Perception of Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Method Survey in an Integrated Healthcare Delivery System in Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Ali Faris Alamri

    (King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 13415, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fahad Khamees Alomari

    (Prince Sultan Military Hospital, Taif 1087, Saudi Arabia)

  • Amir Moustafa Danash

    (Prince Sultan Military Hospital, Taif 1087, Saudi Arabia)

  • Maram Talal Aljoudi

    (Prince Sultan Military Hospital, Taif 1087, Saudi Arabia)

  • Asmahan Issa Almasharqa

    (Prince Sultan Military Hospital, Taif 1087, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ahmed Metwally Almasloot

    (Lincoln County Hospital, Lincolnshire NG318UJ, UK)

  • Reem M. Alwhaibi

    (Rehabilitation Sciences Department, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 13415, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed Mossad Hasan

    (Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60645, USA)

  • Uzma Zaidi

    (Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 13415, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was broadly adopted for patient care. Considering this experience, it is crucial to understand the perceptions of teleclinic healthcare professionals. In Saudi Arabia, telemedicine literature was restricted to physicians working in government and private hospitals. This study examined perceptions in relation to telemedicine among physicians and other healthcare professionals practicing in Saudi Arabian military hospitals in the Taif region. During COVID-19, telemedicine was implemented in military hospitals; consequently, this study assists in evaluating introduced practices and the perceptions of health professionals regarding these new practices. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was undertaken on healthcare professionals ( N = 153). Twenty (20) items based on standardized measures were used to collect data using an online questionnaire. The measures contained three subscales: perceived usefulness, perceived ease, and behavioral intention. It was hypothesized that the perception of teleclinic usefulness and ease score by healthcare providers would be significantly correlated with behavioral intention. Descriptive statistics for mean, frequency, and standard deviation, as well as a Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis, were conducted to assess the relationship and predictive association between variables. In addition, a focus group discussion was organized to collect information directly from healthcare professionals. Most of the participants were approximately 40 years of age, Saudi Nationals (63%), medical specialists (62%), and were involved in teleclinic practices before the COVID-19 pandemic (60%). The reliability of all three scales was determined to be acceptable (α = 0.75–0.91). Perceived usefulness and perceived ease were shown to be significantly correlated with behavioral intention (r = 0.877, p = 0.05). In addition, the regression analysis indicated that perceived usefulness and perceived ease are predictors of the behavioral intention (R 2 = 0.777, F (2,152) = 261.76, p = 0.001) of teleclinic practices among healthcare professionals. The positive perception of telemedicine integration in healthcare systems revealed by this study is a major catalyst for continuous adoption. On the other hand, certified telemedicine platforms, on-the-job training, Internet of things, and a flexible approach are required to find opportunities and enhancements in telemedicine interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Ali Faris Alamri & Fahad Khamees Alomari & Amir Moustafa Danash & Maram Talal Aljoudi & Asmahan Issa Almasharqa & Ahmed Metwally Almasloot & Reem M. Alwhaibi & Mohamed Mossad Hasan & Uzma Zaidi, 2022. "Perception of Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Method Survey in an Integrated Healthcare Delivery System in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16676-:d:1000734
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Josep Vidal-Alaball & Gemma Flores Mateo & Josep Lluís Garcia Domingo & Xavier Marín Gomez & Glòria Sauch Valmaña & Anna Ruiz-Comellas & Francesc López Seguí & Francesc García Cuyàs, 2020. "Validation of a Short Questionnaire to Assess Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Asynchronous Telemedicine Services: The Catalan Version of the Health Optimum Telemedicine Acceptance Questionnai," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-10, March.
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