Open AccessRetracted: Implementation of a telemedicine service during COVID‐19 pandemic in Pakistan
Author(s) -
Nagra Muhammad Haneef,
Ehsan Sumaira,
Ahmad Umair,
Ali Majid,
Hussain Hafiz Amjad,
Bakar Abu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.14310
Subject(s) - telemedicine , medicine , pandemic , medical emergency , covid-19 , health care , service (business) , family medicine , disease , economy , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , economic growth
Aim In this feasibility study, we aimed to implement a pilot telemedicine service at our healthcare facility in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and describe our experience. Methods Telemedicine service was established by Faisalabad Medical University at two of its affiliated locations: (i) a 24‐hour COVID‐19 Telephone Helpline was established at the Director Emergency Office, Allied Hospital, and District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital. (ii) A Telemedicine Clinic comprising consultants and postgraduate residents from different specialties was established at Chief Office, Allied Hospital. The data related to the number and categories of calls and advice provided were collected from 27th March 2020 to 31st July 2020. Results A total of 4582 calls were received, at both locations, during the study period, out of which 2325 callers (51%) were male, and 2257 (49%) were females. At Allied Hospital, 172 patients were advised accordingly for their complaints, whereas, at DHQ Hospital, 320 patients were advised accordingly for their complaints. At the Telemedicine Clinic only, a total of 2436 calls were received during the study period, 1474 (60%) callers were male, and 962 (40%) were female. The majority of the calls were received by medicine (43%), dermatology (21%), and paediatrics (11%) specialties, respectively. Conclusion Despite some limitations, the benefits of telemedicine in this COVID‐19 era are enormous and it is feasible to implement telemedicine services in developing countries. The developing countries must invest in the internet and technology access to facilitate telemedicine and other e‐health services for not only curbing this pandemic but also to promote a more efficient healthcare system after the pandemic.