Table 2.

Effectiveness of Telemedicine as Perceived by Clinicians

• Telemedicine is a form of medical care and an infection–prevention measure that meets patients' growing needs (N = 10).

• Telemedicine visits are effective as first contact and are suitable for patients who want a chance to visit (N = 3).

• Even if clinicians cannot make a definitive diagnosis in the first telemedicine session, they can decide to meet patients face-to-face for treatment (N = 8).

• If telemedicine includes video technology, a large amount of information is exchanged, so effective medical consultation becomes possible (N = 5).

• Telemedicine lowers the threshold for patient visits and raises medication adherence (N = 3).

• Clinicians can take control of their treatment process and feel relieved because busy office workers and other people who used to give up going to the hospital would revisit if they could use telemedicine (N = 3).

• The burden of going to the hospital is reduced for both elderly individuals and the family members that accompany them (N = 4).

• Patients can seek and reach clinicians who can speak with peace of mind, whether they are family doctors or not, even if they are far away (N = 2).

• Clinicians can take a closer look at patients' private settings (N = 3).

• Telemedicine has a strong counseling element, so clinicians can communicate intimately with patients (N = 6).

• Telemedicine is effective if the patient has a stable chronic disease (N = 10).

• Patients with a stable chronic disease can be effectively followed up with telemedicine except when patients are in a psychiatrically unstable condition (N = 10).

The number of clinicians/patients who actually contributed to the topic/theme.