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- Title
Telemedicine Service Adoption During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Physicians' Experience from Nigeria.
- Authors
Iliyasu, Zubairu; Garba, Rayyan M.; Bashir, Humayra A.; Saleh, Nabila S.; Jibo, Abubakar M.; Amole, Taiwo G.; Umar, Amina A.; Tsiga-Ahmed, Fatimah I.; Abdullahi, Hadiza M.; Kwaku, Aminatu A.; Salihu, Hamisu M.; Aliyu, Muktar H.
- Abstract
Introduction:Telemedicine practice experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been well documented in resource-constrained settings, such as Nigeria. We set out to assess knowledge, attitude, and factors associated with telemedicine practice during the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as physician experiences in Kano, Nigeria. Methods:We employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing structured questionnaires administered to 246 physicians, followed by in-depth interviews with a purposive subsample of 20 individuals. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and the framework approach. Results:Overall, 65.0% of the respondents demonstrated moderate to good knowledge of telemedicine. Before COVID, only 47.6% (n = 117) reported practicing telemedicine, compared with 77.2% (n = 190) during the COVID lockdown (p < 0.05). Factors associated with telemedicine practice included having at least 5 years of work experience, working in pediatrics, undergoing senior residency training, receiving formal telemedicine training, possessing good knowledge of telemedicine, and having a positive attitude toward it. The odds of engaging in telemedicine practice were four times higher (adjusted odds ratio = 4.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.79–9.40) for those who practiced it before the pandemic. Challenges identified included knowledge and skill gaps, slow internet connectivity, unstable electricity, and inadequate equipment. Conclusion:To enhance telemedicine practice in resource-limited settings, it is important to focus on strengthening information and communication infrastructure, providing comprehensive clinician training, implementing careful patient selection processes, and improving practice guidelines.
- Subjects
NIGERIA; KANO (Nigeria); COVID-19 pandemic; PHYSICIANS; RESOURCE-limited settings; INFORMATION superhighway; TELEMEDICINE; MEDICAL telematics
- Publication
Telemedicine & e-Health, 2024, Vol 30, Issue 3, p805
- ISSN
1530-5627
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1089/tmj.2023.0262