Telemedicine Assistance for Cardiac Patients in Egypt during COVID-19 Pandemic

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Internal Medicine ,Faculty of Medicine , Sohag University , Sohag, Egypt

2 Department of cardiology, Faculty of Medicine , Suez canal University, Ismailia , Egypt

3 Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University , Sohag , Egypt

4 Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine , Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

Abstract

Background: During the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) period, most of the countries were locked down and most of the hospitals established for COVID-19 patients only. The idea of telemedicine and online clinic was necessary and a good solution for patients who cannot reach or afraid from contacting corona virus carriers at cardiology clinics or hospitals. This study was conducted to assess the value of telemedicine in cardiac patients care and ease managing their chronic illness during COVID-19.
Methodology: A cross sectional study during the course of one month of tele monitoring (from 5 July to 4 August), we received 2003 alerts (phone calls and messages). We used to communicate with patients on time or shortly within 24 hours according to their complaints.
Results: As regard onset of complaint, 14.4% were acute onset and 85.6% were gradual onset. Recommendation for admission for only 15.1% and 84.9% of patients advised to continue treatment at home with some changes in doses.
Conclusion:Telemedicine had a lot of economic and social benefits and it is a good solution especially in certain circumstances like the COVID-19 outbreak. It allows better follow-up, stimulation of self-management of the illness, improvement of quality of life, reduction of rehospitalization costs, and faster treatment in cardiac emergencies.

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