Telemedicine Applications in a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital in Turkey During COVID-19 Pandemic.
Telemed J E Health
; 27(10): 1180-1187, 2021 10.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33301373
ABSTRACT
Background:
A novel type of Coronavirus emerged at Wuhan in late 2019 involving preferentially the respiratory system. Owing to the rapid spread, almost 22 million people became infected and 700,000 died. Similar to other countries, the need for additional hospital beds and intensive care units required diversion of health care resources toward the care for those with COVID-19 in Turkey. Telemedicine appeared as a safe and low-cost alternative for the maintainability of pediatric health services during the pandemics. Within this context, we aimed to deliver the health services through telemedicine during the follow-up of chronic childhood diseases. Materials andMethods:
This prospective study included five pediatric subspecialties, including allergy immunology, hematology and oncology, nephrology, rheumatology, and inborn metabolic disorders. After the interview, patients and involved physicians were requested to fill out a questionnaire designed to measure the level of satisfaction and the quality of the service we offered.Results:
Of the 263 interviews, overall patient and physician satisfaction was 99% and 87%, respectively. As results of the interviews, 250 routine visits were performed, 181 acute complaints were assessed, drug changes were made in 118 patients, 9 patients were determined to be unable to get their drugs, and 12 who misused their drugs. The main advantage of the telemedicine declared by the patients was "not to waste time for transportation." The main concerns of the participants were inability to perform physical and laboratory examinations.Conclusion:
Consequently, we considered telemedicine as a feasible alternative not only during pandemics but also in daily practice in Turkey.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Telemedicina
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Child
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Telemed J E Health
Assunto da revista:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Turquia