Ahmed I. Albarrak|Rafiuddin Mohammed|Nada Almarshoud|Lama Almujalli|Rawan Aljaeed|Sarah Altuwaijiri|Tahani Albohairy
Assessment of physician’s knowledge, perception and willingness of telemedicine in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia
King Saud University|Saudi Electronic University|Alfaisal University|Alfaisal University|Alfaisal University|Alfaisal University|Alfaisal University
telemedicine utilization computer applications telecommunication technologies deliver clinical services remotely ministry health saudi arabia recently established ehealth strategy includes use telemedicine order improve accessibility quality care among patients healthcare providers present study aimed assess knowledge perception telemedicine applications among physicians secondly evaluate willingness towards adopting telemedicine clinical practice study cross sectional conducted four hospitals king abdulaziz medical city king faisal specialist hospital research center king saud medical city king saud university medical city riyadh saudi arabia survey questionnaire selfadministered adopted previous studies questionnaire consists access computer literacy knowledge perceptions willingness telemedicine total 391 physicians male 301 770 female 90 230 completed questionnaire half participants never used personal computers laptops home interestingly 892 two smart devices participants average knowledge telemedicine technology 461 nearly 77 professionals believed continuous training necessary use telemedicine p 001 highest level perception 90 telemedicine viable approach providing medical care services patients 90 specialties professional agreed telemedicine save time money believed information communication technology ict potential role healthcare overall 70 physicians reported low number conferences speeches meetings held regarding telemedicine technology working places main issues reported adopting telemedicine patient privacy high cost equipment lack suitable training lack consultation information technology expert clinicians despite fact majority professionals two smart devices communicating patients via email social media however majority medical professionals still low knowledge telemedicine technology addition participants showed positive perceptions telemedicine willing adopt clinical practice major reported barriers adoption telemedicine privacy issues lack training cost issues related information communication technology