Table 2.
Perceptions About the Usefulness of Telemedicine in Improving Dental Practice (N = 75)
| Characteristics | Frequency | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Was the clinic deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic? (% yes) | 70 | 93.3 | |
| How the respondents managed patients during COVID-19 pandemic? | |||
| Patient rebooking | 35 | 46.7 | |
| Attending urgent cases only | 28 | 37.3 | |
| Communicating through telemedicine | 41 | 54.7 | |
| Are you familiar with the use of telemedicine? (Yes) | 49 | 65.3 | |
| Does respondents practice setup support the use of telemedicine? | |||
| I do not know | 24 | 32.0 | |
| No | 30 | 40.0 | |
| Yes | 21 | 28.0 | |
| Have ever utilized any form of telemedicine before the COVID-19 pandemic? (% yes) | 35 | 46.7 | |
| Please specify the reasons for telemedicine use in practice before COVID-19 pandemic? | |||
| Consultation | 38 | 50.7 | |
| Clinical discussion with colleagues | 33 | 44.0 | |
| Scheduled follow-up | 17 | 22.7 | |
| Diagnose new cases | 11 | 14.7 | |
| Medication refill | 15 | 20.0 | |
| Teaching | 21 | 28.0 | |
| Which media do respondents prefer to use when communicate through telemedicine? | |||
| Hospital devices | 12 | 16.0 | |
| Personal computer | 17 | 22.7 | |
| Personal smartphone | 44 | 58.7 | |
| Personal tablet | 2 | 2.67 | |
| Have you been in communication with patients via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic? (% yes) | 43 | 57.3 | |
| Which system/application were you using most to communicate with your patients? | |||
| Phone call | 30 | 40.0 | |
| 47 | 62.7 | ||
| 4 | 5.33 | ||
| Virtual videoconferencing | 5 | 6.67 | |
| What were the reasons for telemedicine use during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic? | |||
| Consultation | 54 | 72.0 | |
| Scheduled follow-up | 17 | 22.7 | |
| Diagnose new cases | 30 | 40.0 | |
| Medication refill | 20 | 26.7 | |
| Clinical discussion with colleague | 35 | 46.7 | |
| Teaching | 33 | 44.0 | |
| Have respondents ever experienced any cyber risk while using telemedicine in practice? (% yes) | 2 | 2.67 | |
| Was it convenient to use telemedicine?: | |||
| No | 8 | 10.7 | |
| Occasionally | 36 | 48.0 | |
| Yes | 31 | 41.3 | |
| The reasons for inconvenience | |||
| Not familiar with the technology | 3 | 4.00 | |
| Poor internet Connection | 3 | 4.00 | |
| Poor image quality | 16 | 21.3 | |
| Time consuming | 4 | 5.33 | |
| Patient dissatisfaction | 5 | 6.67 | |
| No proper set up | 4 | 5.33 | |
| Overall, how satisfied were the patients with the telemedicine services? | |||
| Dissatisfied | 4 | 5.33 | |
| I do not know | 37 | 49.3 | |
| Satisfied | 34 | 45.3 | |
Abbreviation: N, number of participants.