Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) emerged as a highly infectious virus at the end of 2019. Countries worldwide implemented various measures to restrict social interaction to contain the spread of this disease. Based on the prevailing situation, various consultation strategies arise to provide patients with the best possible care by utilising doctors and resources efficiently. After the COVID-19 outbreak, telemedicine or technology-based consultations became the most used type of consultation strategy, which not only maintained the ability to provide services to patients but also mitigated the spread of the virus.
This cross-sectional study consisted of an online survey conducted across all complementary medicine practitioners (CMPs) that are registered with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). The questionnaire aimed to assess the types, usability, satisfaction and perceptions of virtual consultations (VC). Descriptive statistics (exploratory factor analysis) was used to examine the perceptions of CMPs of telemedicine and to summarise the characteristics of respondents. A total of 113 users used the online survey platform, and 90 valid questionnaires with consent were included in this survey.
The use of VC was reported by 60.7% (n=54) of participants, with WhatsApp reported as the most popular used VC platform. The most significant benefit of use is that CMPs can expand their practice outside their geographical location, and VC offers value to patients. For CMPs who did not use telemedicine, the most cited reason was because they had no need to use VCs (n=21; 38.2%) and it did not allow them to provide the therapy they offer (n=12; 21.8%). Their greatest concern was potential diagnostic error (n=29; 20.6%). Of the respondents, 74.1% (n=43) said that they would use VCs in the future, even once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
Telemedicine is an effective alternative consultation platform, regardless of the threat of COVID-19 for those professions where it may be conducive to their means of practice based on the findings of this study. The additional consideration and scoping of the ethical use and regulatory capacitation for the use of telemedicine beyond the COVID-19 pandemic for CMPs is warranted.