2.2 Telemedicine Clinic:
A Telemedicine Clinic was established at Allied Hospital only. This
clinic comprised consultants and postgraduate residents of the two
hospitals from the specialties: medicine, surgery, gynecology &
obstetrics, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and
ear/nose/throat (ENT) departments. Specific Skype IDs and WhatsApp
numbers for different specialties were established and advertised in
local print and electronic media as well as via posters and banners
displayed in and outside the two hospitals at various places. The
patients could contact these numbers from 8:00 am till 3:00 pm daily
except Sundays.
The data related to the number and categories of calls and advice
provided was collected from 27th March 2020 till 31st July 2020. The
study received ethical approval from the Ethical Review Committee of
Faisalabad Medical University.