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Sheerah HA, AlSalamah S, Alsalamah SA, Lu CT, Arafa A, Zaatari E, Alhomod A, Pujari S, Labrique A. The Rise of Virtual Health Care: Transforming the Health Care Landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Review Article. Telemed J E Health 2024. [PMID: 38984415 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2024.0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rise of virtual healthcare underscores the transformative influence of digital technologies in reshaping the healthcare landscape. As technology advances and the global demand for accessible and convenient healthcare services escalates, the virtual healthcare sector is gaining unprecedented momentum. Saudi Arabia, with its ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, is actively embracing digital innovation in the healthcare sector. METHODS In this narrative review, we discussed the key drivers and prospects of virtual healthcare in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its potential to enhance healthcare accessibility, quality, and patient outcomes. We also summarized the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in the digital transformation of healthcare in the country. Healthcare services provided by Seha Virtual Hospital in Saudi Arabia, the world's largest and Middle East's first virtual hospital, were also described. Finally, we proposed a roadmap for the future development of virtual health in the country. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The integration of virtual healthcare into the existing healthcare system can enhance patient experiences, improve outcomes, and contribute to the overall well-being of the population. However, careful planning, collaboration, and investment are essential to overcome the challenges and ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of virtual healthcare in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haytham A Sheerah
- Ministry of Health, Office of the Vice Minister of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shada AlSalamah
- Information Systems Department, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Digital Health and Innovation, Science Division, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sara A Alsalamah
- College of Computer and Information Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Chang-Tien Lu
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Ahmed Arafa
- Department of Preventive Cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Ezzedine Zaatari
- Ministry of Health, Office of the Vice Minister of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alhomod
- Ministry of Health, SEHA Virtual Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Emergency Medicine Administration, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameer Pujari
- Department of Digital Health and Innovation, Science Division, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alain Labrique
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland,United States
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Al Baalharith IM, Aboshaiqah AE. A Delphi Study on Identifying Competencies in Virtual Healthcare for Healthcare Professionals. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:739. [PMID: 38610161 PMCID: PMC11011667 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12070739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual care adoption accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to develop relevant competencies. However, limited evidence exists on the core competencies required for quality virtual care delivery. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the critical competencies physicians, nurses, and other health professionals need for adequate virtual care provision in Saudi Arabia using a Delphi method. METHODS A 3-round Delphi technique was applied with a panel of 42 experts, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, academicians, and telehealth specialists. In Round 1, an open-ended questionnaire elicited competencies needed for virtual care. The competencies were distilled and rated for importance in Rounds 2 and 3 until consensus was achieved. RESULTS Consensus emerged on 151 competencies across 33 domains. The most prominent domains were communication (15 competencies), professionalism (13), leadership (12), health informatics (5), digital literacy (5), and clinical expertise (11).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Mubarak Al Baalharith
- College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia;
- Governance and Excellence, SEHA Virtual Hospital, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
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Rahamim-Cohen D, Kertes J, Feldblum I, Shamir-Stein N, Shapiro Ben David S. Use of a Virtual Multi-Disciplinary Clinic for the Treatment of Post-COVID-19 Patients. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:376. [PMID: 38338261 PMCID: PMC10855243 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12030376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-COVID-19 has been recognized as possibly affecting millions of people worldwide. In order to optimize care and ensure equality, we established a multidisciplinary virtual Post-COVID-19 clinic (VPCC) within Maccabi Healthcare Services, the second largest HMO in Israel. This study aims to describe the structure, process and patient satisfaction with this clinic. The multidisciplinary team consisted of physicians, physiotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists and dieticians. Patient entry was to be at least four weeks after COVID-19 infection. A patient satisfaction survey was carried out 7-8 months after the clinic was closed. Demographic data were collected and compared to the general Maccabi COVID-19 population. The clinic treated 1614 patients, aged 16-91, over a period of 18 months. In total, 679 family physicians referred patients. In comparison to the general COVID-19 population, a higher percentage of the VPCC patients lived in the periphery of Israel, South (14.9% compared to 17.8%) and North (17.1% compared to 18.2%). In total, 249 patients answered the survey, and of them, 75% were highly satisfied with the medical care of the physician in the VPCC. A total of 54% of respondents would have preferred a face-to-face consultation, but 50% felt that communication was good in the virtual mode. In conclusion, the VPCC provided a dedicated service for patients, and the virtual format made it equally accessible to all parts of the country.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Kertes
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv 6812509, Israel (S.S.B.D.)
| | - Ilana Feldblum
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv 6812509, Israel (S.S.B.D.)
| | - Naama Shamir-Stein
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv 6812509, Israel (S.S.B.D.)
| | - Shirley Shapiro Ben David
- Health Division, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv 6812509, Israel (S.S.B.D.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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Koumpouros Y. Digital Health Innovations in the Battle against COVID-19: A Global Perspective. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:1892. [PMID: 37444726 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11131892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed unprecedented challenges upon the global population, demanding rapid and innovative solutions [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiannis Koumpouros
- Department of Public and Community Health, University of West Attica, Athens 11596, Greece
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