Perception of primary caregiver toward virtual pediatric clinics for type 1 diabetes mellitus during COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abdullah M Alzahrani; Sultan F Magliah; Haneen A Turkistani; Bahaa A Abulaban; Mahmoud F Sabban; Manar A Mashat; Adnan M Al Shaikh

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104550

Perception of primary caregiver toward virtual pediatric clinics for type 1 diabetes mellitus during COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Sep 3:81:104550. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104550. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Authors

Abdullah M Alzahrani^{1

2

3}, Sultan F Magliah¹, Haneen A Turkistani¹, Bahaa A Abulaban¹, Mahmoud F Sabban¹, Manar A Mashat¹, Adnan M Al Shaikh^{4

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah, 21423, Saudi Arabia.
² College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah, 21423, Saudi Arabia.
³ King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah, 21423, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, King Abdulaziz Medical City, P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah, 21423, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Virtual phone clinics were adopted at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as an alternative to in-person routine outpatient visits amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess primary caregiver perceptions of the virtual phone clinics towards routine care of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: A cross-sectional research design was employed through a web-based research tool where the primary caregivers of pediatric patients with T1DM participated. Data were analyzed descriptively and statistically using independent t-tests and one-way analysis of variance.

Results: In total, 214 participants were included in this study. The average primary caregiver perception value towards virtual phone clinics was 66.71 ± 23.1%, which suggested a satisfactory perception of their experience. Statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were not found between the mean perception values and demographic characteristics. Higher mean primary caregiver perception values were associated with those who: (1) agreed or strongly agreed to be contented with their current state of health, (2) did not ask their physicians to be physically seen during a virtual visit, (3) preferred having four virtual visits or more, and (4) preferred having single to no in-person visits at all.

Conclusion: This study revealed a generally acceptable primary caregiver perception regarding virtual clinics. Telemedicine is recommended for routine treatment alongside regular in-clinic appointments to improve the quality of care for pediatric patients with T1DM.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pediatric; Primary caregiver perception; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Virtual clinic.