ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS IN FAMILY MEDICINE

Ruaa Khalid Hamdi?*, Maha Nazar Nafea and Rana Mohammed Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Background: The adoption of virtual consultations in family medicine has accelerated, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine offers potential advantages such as improved accessibility, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced patient satisfaction. However, concerns remain regarding technological limitations, the quality of virtual interactions, and provider workload. This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual consultations in family medicine, focusing on patient and healthcare provider satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in multiple hospitals that provide virtual healthcare services. A total of 250 patients and 90 healthcare providers participated, meeting eligibility criteria that included prior experience with virtual consultations. Data were collected using two structured online surveys tailored for patients and healthcare providers. The surveys assessed satisfaction levels, ease of use, perceived effectiveness, and technological challenges. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: Patients reported high satisfaction with physician communication (86%), ease of booking (84%), and willingness to use virtual consultations again (82%). However, lower satisfaction scores were observed for treatment effectiveness (76%) and audio/video quality (78%). Healthcare providers expressed overall satisfaction (82%) but cited challenges with technology usability (72%). Comparative analyses revealed that younger patients (18-29 years) reported significantly higher satisfaction than older groups (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Virtual consultations in family medicine demonstrate substantial benefits, including high patient satisfaction, reduced wait times, and increased accessibility. However, technological barriers and provider workload concerns remain key challenges. Addressing these issues through improved digital infrastructure and targeted training programs can enhance the sustainability and efficiency of virtual healthcare services. Further research is necessary to explore long-term outcomes and optimize virtual consultation frameworks.

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