Teleconsultations in Primary Healthcare Centres During COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Aftermath

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES- Teleconsultation (TC), accounting for approximately 25% of medical consultations, is becoming increasingly pivotal in healthcare delivery. Despite its growing importance, current medical training programs often insufficiently address telecommunication skills. This study aims to augment the knowledge and proficiency of primary care physicians in TC through specialized training at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Bahrain. METHODS- A cross-sectional study was employed to assess knowledge, practice, and training needs for TC among PHC physicians in Bahrain. Using total population sampling, data was collected via online Google survey questionnaires. The Teleconsultation Practices, Knowledge, and Training Needs Questionnaire (TPKTNQ) ensured reliability and validity, with statistical analysis performed using SPSS. Ethical approval was obtained, ensuring confidentiality and voluntary participation. RESULTS- An analysis of 185 responses from 257 distributed online questionnaires resulted in a 71.9% response rate, with 85.3% female respondents. The survey revealed that 74.9% of physicians had fair to high knowledge of TC, 89.7% practiced it, but 69% lacked formal training. Despite this, 96.7% were willing to receive updated training. Significant associations were found between TC training and practice satisfaction, knowledge levels, and further training needs, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive TC training among PHC physicians in Bahrain. IMPLICATIONS- Addressing the training gaps in TC can substantially enhance the effectiveness of telehealth services, thereby improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in Bahrain. Enhanced training programs can elevate care quality, optimize workload management, and increase physicians’ satisfaction, which is crucial for the retention of healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION- A significant deficiency exists in TC training among PHC physicians in Bahrain. The overwhelming willingness of physicians to engage in future training workshops underscores the readiness for adaptating TC practices. It is recommended that comprehensive training programs be implemented to bolster TC services in PHCs, thereby advancing the overall quality of patient care.