Patients’ experience and satisfaction towards virtual health care during the COVID-19 pandemic in southern region of Saudi Arabia

Health care providers can use these virtual platforms for delivering medical advice and prescriptions to patients. This study was aimed to explore the patients' experiences and level of satisfaction regarding virtual health care received during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study also assessed the before and during lockdown sleep quality in these participants. The current study included 522 participants from Saudi Arabia. Virtual health care satisfaction questionnaire was implemented to record the data on patient experience toward the virtual health care during COVID-19 pandemic. Patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with virtual health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic, as indicated by a mean score of 4.15 on a five-point Likert scale, which translates to an 83% satisfaction rate. Most participants felt they could communicate effectively with their doctors, appreciated the good picture and sound quality of their virtual appointments, and felt that their privacy was respected. Additionally, they reported comfort during history taking and examinations, and felt that doctors adequately explained solutions, including prescriptions and advice. Interestingly, the study found no significant association between the type of specialty or patient demographic factors and the level of satisfaction. In terms of sleep quality, a comparison of subjective sleep parameters before and during the lockdown revealed significant changes. The results from a t test indicated that mean scores for various sleep components: such as sleep duration, sleep disturbances, sleep latency, daytime dysfunction, habitual sleep efficiency, and subjective sleep quality, showed significant differences (P < .001) between the 2 assessment periods. Overall, the mean scores for these components increased, indicating a deterioration in sleep quality during the lockdown period. The study found that most participants were satisfied with the virtual health care system, noting its benefits in reducing overcrowding, care delays, and unnecessary in-person visits during pandemics. This increased accessibility could enhance patient satisfaction and lower costs, though it may not completely replace traditional hospital visits. The researchers recommend further studies with a larger, more diverse group to better understand patient experiences and improve telehealth services in Saudi Arabia. Overall, while the virtual system shows promise, more research is needed to optimize its use.