Effectiveness of telemedicine in increasing the self – efficacy of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia at a Tertiary Hospital in Davao City / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

ABSTRACT

Background@#Telemedicine has the potential of bridging the gap and achieving equity in receiving healthcare services. The department of health encouraged telemedicine using cell phones or consultations through social media platforms to decongest hospitals and reduce possible exposure to COVID‑19.@*Objectives@#This study aimed to describe the effectiveness of telemedicine in increasing the self‑efficacy of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in a tertiary hospital in Davao City.@*Materials and Methods@#This research was a mixed method pre‑post‑test exploratory design with two main phases a quantitative phase of assessing the effectiveness of telemedicine in increasing self‑efficacy to patients with GTN using Strategies Used by People to Promote Health‑29, and a qualitative phase of online focus group discussions of patients and health‑care workers. Thematic analysis was applied to contextualize the experience of the participants in engaging in telemedicine in the delivery of medical services.@*Results@#Total subscale of self‑efficacy of the patients during the first consultation was high. The respondents had a high level of confidence in stress reduction and in making decisions. The respondents had a very high positive attitude. After 6 months of telemedicine, the total subscale of self‑efficacy was very high. The respondents had a high level of confidence in stress reduction and very high levels of confidence in making decision and positive attitude. The respondents had improved self‑efficacy and verbalized that telemedicine was easy and readily accessible.@*Conclusions@#Telemedicine helped the respondents improve their self‑efficacy. There was a significant difference between the baseline stress reduction and making decisions subscales after 6 months of utilizing telemedicine.