DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PERCEPTION OF TELEMEDICINE IN PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION PHYSICIANS

Abstract

Introduction/ objective: Telemedicine applications are becoming increasingly common. Our aim in this study was to measure the knowledge, awareness and perception levels of physiatrists on this subject. Methods: This study was planned as a cross-sectional survey study. Physiatrists actively working in Turkey were asked to fill in the questionnaire created by the researchers, prepared with google docs and shared via email/WhatsApp/Telegram platforms. Results: The questionnaire was answered by a total of 109 physicians, 54 women (49.5%) and 55 men (50.5%). 63.3% of physicians stated that they knew telemedicine partially. Physicians who knew how to remotely apply physical examination was 10.09%. The disadvantages that physicians mostly agreed on were the increase in the risk of malpractice (73.4%) and the decrease in professional satisfaction (76.1%). 71.6% of physicians believe that physical contact increases the feeling of trust in the patients and positively affects the success of the treatment. Orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation came to the fore in the most difficult areas to evaluate in telemedicine. Neuropathic pain was a less challenging area with 36.6% of physicians. Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge among our physicians about the content, application areas, responsibilities, and jurisdictions of the concept of telemedicine. Our physicians think that their professional satisfaction will be less in this system with a higher malpractice risk. Potential barriers should be analyzed well and the system should be well planned so as not to victimize physicians and patients in physiatry practice. Our study will be a guide in this context.