1. Utilization of Telehealth Services in Libya in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Analysis
- Author
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Elhadi, Muhammed, Msherghi, Ahmed, Elhadi, Ahmed, Ashini, Aimen, Alsoufi, Ahmed, Bin Alshiteewi, Fatimah, Elmabrouk, Amna, Alsuyihili, Ali, Elgherwi, Alsafa, Elkhafeefi, Fatimah, Abdulrazik, Sarah, and Tarek, Ahmed
- Subjects
Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 - Abstract
BackgroundHealth care systems in transitional countries have witnessed unprecedented challenges related to adequate and continuous health care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. In many countries, including Libya, institutions and organizations have begun to implement telehealth technology for the first time. This serves to establish an alternative modality for direct physician-patient interviews to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the usability of telehealth services in Libya and to provide an overview of the current COVID-19 scenario. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, an anonymous web-based survey was administered to Libyan residents between April and May 2020. Participants were contacted through text messaging, emails, and social media. The survey items yielded information on the sociodemographic characteristics, availability and accessibility of health care services, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care services, mental health status, and the feasibility and application of the telehealth system. ResultsWe obtained 2512 valid responses, of which 1721 (68.5%) were from females. The participants were aged 28.2 (SD 7.6) years, of whom 2333 (92.9%) were aged
- Published
- 2021
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