Table 3.
Comparison of questionnaire responses between surgeons and non-surgeons.
| PERCENTAGE % (N) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Questions | Answers | Non-surgical specialties (N=78) | Surgical specialties (N= 68) | P-Value |
| Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Economics | ||||
| Estimated reduction in outpatient visits during COVID-19 | 10–30% | 10.26 (8) | 8.82 (6) | 0.9968 |
| 30–50% | 25.64 (20) | 26.47 (18) | ||
| More than 50% | 61.54 (48) | 61.76 (42) | ||
| Not Affected | 2.56 (2) | 2.94 (2) | ||
| When will COVID-19 improve in Malaysia? | Next 6 months | 38.46 (30) | 26.47 (18) | 0.4527 |
| 1–2 years | 56.41 (44) | 70.59 (48) | ||
| Never | 5.13 (4) | 2.94 (2) | ||
| Intention and willingness to use telemedicine | ||||
| Are you currently practicing Telemedicine? | Yes, before the COVID-19 outbreak | 10.26 (8) | 8.82 (6) | 0.8387 |
| Yes, after the COVID-19 outbreak | 10.26 (8) | 14.71 (10) | ||
| No | 79.49 (62) | 76.47 (52) | ||
| What is the future of Telemedicine in Malaysia? | Only useful in situation similar to COVID-19 | 20.51 (16) | 50.00 (34) | 0.03 |
| Useful and should be part of my daily practice | 51.28 (40) | 32.35 (22) | ||
| Not relevant to my practice | 28.21 (22) | 17.65 (12) | ||
| Percent of patients that would benefit from Telemedicine | Less than 10 % | 38.46 (30) | 47.06 (32) | 0.1144 |
| 10–30% | 41.03 (32) | 23.53 (16) | ||
| 30–50% | 7.69 (6) | 23.53 (16) | ||
| More than 50% | 12.82 (10) | 5.88 (4) | ||
| Knowledge and awareness of Telemedicine | ||||
| Which group of patients is suitable for Telemedicine? | New cases | 5.13 (4) | 0 | 0.3966 |
| Follow-up cases | 66.67 (52) | 67.65 (46) | ||
| Both groups | 28.21 (22) | 32.35 (22) | ||
| Where did you learn about Telemedicine? | Not heard of it | 7.69 (6) | 0 | 0.1266 |
| News or social media | 58.97 (46) | 82.35 (56) | ||
| Hospital Management | 25.64 (20) | 17.65 (12) | ||
| Friends and family | 2.56 (2) | 0 | ||
| Government /Ministry of Health | 5.13 (4) | 0 | ||
| Organization Readiness | ||||
| Do you use IT solutions for patient record management? | Yes | 92.31 (72) | 91.18 (62) | 1(0.5948) |
| No | 7.69 (6) | 8.82 (6) | ||
| Does your practice provide delivery of prescriptions? | Yes | 48.72 (38) | 9.41 (20) | 0.1018 |
| No | 51.28 (40) | 70.59 (48) | ||
| 1997 Act of Telemedicine. Should it be reviewed? | Yes | 41.03 (32) | 70.59 (48) | 0.0148 |
| No | 0 | 2.94 (2) | ||
| I have no knowledge of the Act | 58.97(46) | 26.47 (18) | ||