Physicians’ View on Telemedicine during the Corona Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Imam Reza Teaching Hospital of Mashhad

Abstract

Telemedicine uses information and communication technology (ICT) to provide remote care to patients, especially during outbreaks. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes toward and knowledge about the telemedicine system among healthcare professionals. This cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working at Imam Reza Hospital, affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, in 2021. Data were collected using a well-structured self-administered questionnaire. A total of 133 specialists and subspecialists participated in this study, including 25 internists, 14 anesthesiologists, 10 cardiologists, 9 emergency medicine specialists, 9 radiologists, and 9 dermatologists. The average age and years of experience were 49.9 ± 8.6 and 13.4 ± 7.6, respectively.  Investigating their attitudes toward and knowledge about telemedicine revealed that 50% of them had a “high” attitude, and their knowledge was above medium. Based on the research and the positive views on the use of telemedicine, especially during the recent pandemic, it can be concluded that this technology may be suitable for only specific healthcare tasks. However, healthcare organizations may benefit from implementing telemedicine in various aspects, such as reducing treatment costs and increasing the speed, accuracy, and quality of care provided to patients and injured individuals.