Azarcon Corrina P, Ranche Felice Katrina T, Santiago Darby E
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines - Manila, Manila, Philippines.
College of Medicine, University of the Philippines - Manila, Manila, Philippines.
Clin Ophthalmol. 2021 Mar 23;15:1239-1247. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S291790. eCollection 2021.
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic has limited patient access to out-patient care, prompting many clinicians to incorporate telemedicine in their practice. This study aims to explore the impact of the pandemic on the use of tele-ophthalmology in the Philippines.
A 30-item online survey on practices and attitudes related to tele-ophthalmology was sent to ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists-in-training all over the Philippines.
A total of 327 local ophthalmologists responded to the anonymous survey. Reported use of tele-ophthalmology increased from 53% to 90% ( < 0.001) at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media messaging was the most employed modality, utilized by 8 out of 10 tele-ophthalmology users. Respondents reported confidence in diagnosing gross conditions of the eye, and lack of confidence in diagnosing posterior pole conditions and orbital fractures. The majority (84%) believe that it can be adopted on a wider scale in the upcoming years.
The pandemic catalyzed a nationwide increase in the utilization of tele-ophthalmology. The majority of respondents expressed willingness to continue incorporating tele-ophthalmology in their practice after the pandemic.
严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（COVID-19）大流行限制了患者获得门诊护理的机会，促使许多临床医生在其医疗实践中采用远程医疗。本研究旨在探讨该大流行对菲律宾远程眼科应用的影响。
向菲律宾各地的眼科医生和眼科住院医生发送了一份关于远程眼科实践和态度的30项在线调查问卷。
共有327名当地眼科医生回复了这份匿名调查。在COVID-19大流行期间，报告的远程眼科应用使用率从53%上升至90%（<0.001）。社交媒体消息是最常用的方式，十分之八的远程眼科用户都有使用。受访者表示对诊断眼部明显病症有信心，但对诊断后极部病症和眼眶骨折缺乏信心。大多数人（84%）认为在未来几年它可以得到更广泛的应用。
大流行促使全国范围内远程眼科应用的增加。大多数受访者表示愿意在大流行之后继续在其医疗实践中采用远程眼科。
