1 Aziz ur Rahman, 2 Dr Mohammad Kamran, 3 Asad Khalil, 4 Vagma Rahman, 5 Sajjad Ahmad
1Urology Department, Northwest General Hospital Peshawar
2Anaesthesia Department, NWGH
3Dept of Medicine Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar
4 Department of Surgery, NWGH Peshawar
5Urology Department, NWGH Peshawar
ABSTRACT:
Background: The advent of telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Urological conditions often require timely medical attention, and telemedicine offers a potential solution to bridge the gap in healthcare access. However, there is limited data on the effectiveness and patient satisfaction with telemedicine consultations specifically for urological conditions.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and patient satisfaction with telemedicine consultations for urological conditions, with a particular focus on remote or underserved areas.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 120 patients who received telemedicine consultations for various urological conditions. The study spanned from March 2023 to February 2024. Data on patient demographics, types of urological conditions, treatment outcomes, and patient satisfaction were collected and analyzed. Effectiveness was measured by treatment success rates and need for in-person follow-ups, while patient satisfaction was assessed using a standardized survey.
Results: The study population consisted of 120 patients, predominantly male, with an average age of 45 years. The most common urological conditions included urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Treatment success rates were high, with 85% of patients reporting resolution or significant improvement of symptoms. Only 10% of patients required in-person follow-ups. Patient satisfaction scores were overwhelmingly positive, with 90% of patients expressing satisfaction with the telemedicine consultations. Key factors contributing to satisfaction included convenience, reduced travel time, and the quality of communication with healthcare providers.
Conclusion: Telemedicine consultations for urological conditions proved to be an effective and highly satisfactory mode of healthcare delivery, especially in remote and underserved areas. The high treatment success rates and positive patient satisfaction underscore the potential of telemedicine to enhance access to urological care. Future studies should focus on long-term outcomes and explore the integration of telemedicine into routine urological practice.
Keywords: Telemedicine, Urological Conditions, Patient Satisfaction, Remote Areas, Underserved Areas, Healthcare Access, Treatment Effectiveness.