Effect of an Internet-Based System for Doctor-Patient Communication on Health Care Spending

BACKGROUND: Primary Health Care (PHC) Services in Saudi Arabia has reportedly been poorly accessed and utilized. Another concern is that the kingdom has to be strategic in reducing inequalities that exist between rural and urban communities. At present, there were limited scientific studies on access, utilization, and satisfaction of PHC services in areas most central to the kingdom. AIM: The aim of this study is to explore the factors associated with access, utilization, and level of satisfaction with primary health care services in Hafar Al-batain of Saudi Arabia. METHOD: A survey was conducted on June to August 2018 and data were gathered from June to August 2018. A self-report questionnaire was used which asked for the participants’ characteristics, organization factors, financial factors, doctor-patient communication, access, utilization, satisfaction to PHC services and barriers were distributed to the different health centers. A total of 384 PHC receivers served as respondents of the study. Data analysis were processed and Chi-square was used to analyse quantitative data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Ver. 21. Thematic analysis was used in analysing qualitative data.   RESULTS: Findings showed that 50% of the total respondents were satisfied to some extent with the PHC services. On the other hand, only 39.7% were completely satisfied. Organizational, financial and doctor-patient communication factors were found to be barriers to PHC services in terms of access and utilization. Gender, age and educational level were found to influence perceived satisfaction towards PHC services. Themes relevant to barriers to PHC services were relevant to inadequate facilities and services, inaccessible location and access of health services, lack of specialized health care workers and services, poor observance of therapies and management, and insufficient implementation of policy and protocols. CONCLUSION: Health care services in Hafar Al-batin were found satisfying to some extent but were found to have areas which needs improvement which are relevant to factors in the organizational, finance, doctor patient communication and health promotion and prevention.

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ICT AND THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE: ASPECTS OF DOCTOR-PATIENT COMMUNICATION

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care ◽

10.1017/s0266462314000294 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 298-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Daniela Haluza ◽

David Jungwirth

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Interest Groups ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Patient Communication ◽

Medical Professionals ◽

Healthcare Applications ◽

Digital Revolution ◽

Doctor Patient Communication ◽

The Future ◽

Future Demands

Objectives: The current digital revolution is particularly relevant for interactions of healthcare providers with patients and the community as a whole. The growing public acceptance and distribution of new communication tools such as smart mobile phones provide the prerequisite for information and communication technology (ICT) -assisted healthcare applications. The present study aimed at identifying specifications and perceptions of different interest groups regarding future demands of ICT-supported doctor–patient communication in Austria.Methods: German-speaking Austrian healthcare experts (n = 73; 74 percent males; mean age, 43.9 years; SD 9.4) representing medical professionals, patient advocates, and administrative personnel participated in a 2-round online Delphi process. Participants evaluated scenario-based benefits and obstacles for possible prospect introduction as well as degree of innovation, desirability, and estimated implementation dates of two medical care-related future set ups.Results: Panelists expected the future ICT-supported doctor–patient dialogue to especially improve the three factors doctors–patient relationship, patients’ knowledge, and quality of social health care. However, lack of acceptance by doctors, data security, and monetary aspects were considered as the three most relevant barriers for ICT implementation. Furthermore, inter-group comparison regarding desirability of future scenarios showed that medical professionals tended to be more skeptical about health-related technological innovations (p < .001).Conclusions: The findings of this survey revealed different expectations among interest groups. Thus, we suggest building taskforces and using workshops for establishing a dialogue between stakeholders to positively shape the future of ICT-supported collaboration and communication between doctors and patients.

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