Pediatric Conditions and Platforms of Telemedicine Used in Philippine Primary Care: A Cross-sectional Study

Authors

  • Angelique Celina F. Lahoz, MD Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7098-8258
  • Leonila F. Dans, MD, MSc Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5271-270X
  • Carol Stephanie C. Tan-Lim, MD Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8815-4191
  • Angelica Cecilia V. Tomas, MD Department of Pediatrics, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
  • Cara Lois T. Galingana Philippine Primary Care Studies, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Josephine T. Sanchez Philippine Primary Care Studies, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Maria Rhodora N. Aquino Philippine Primary Care Studies, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Arianne Maever L. Amit Philippine Primary Care Studies, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Mia P. Rey, PhD Department of Accounting and Finance, Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Janelle Micaela S. Panganiban Philippine Primary Care Studies, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Antonio L. Dans, MD, MSc Philippine Primary Care Studies, Center for Integrative and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Diliman; Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9694-8757

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.vi0.8458

Keywords:

telemedicine, pediatric diseases, platform, primary care

Abstract

Background and Objective. Inequity in access to healthcare continues to be a problem in the Philippines. This was further aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine is considered a potential strategy to address inequitable access to healthcare; however, it only gained popularity during the pandemic. This study aims to determine the pediatric conditions diagnosed through telemedicine consults and the platforms utilized by patients in the Philippine Primary Care Studies pilot sites during the pandemic.

Methods. This is a cross-sectional study of pediatric patients below 19 years of age who sought consult using telemedicine. Using the electronic medical records (EMR) system adapted by the Philippine Primary Care Studies in UP Health Service (UPHS) Quezon City, Metro Manila (urban site), Samal, Bataan (rural site), and Bulusan, Sorsogon (remote site), pediatric conditions diagnosed through telemedicine consults and the platforms utilized by patients from September 2021 to August 2022 were extracted and summarized. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results. A total of 5,388 consults involving pediatric patients were recorded from September 2021 to August 2022, of which 1,562 (29.0%) were done through telemedicine. Majority of the telemedicine consults (67.5%, n=1,055) were in the rural site. There were 274 telemedicine consults (17.6%) in the remote site, and 233 (14.9%) in the urban site. The most common diagnosis was acute upper respiratory tract infection (30.8%). Other common conditions diagnosed through telemedicine were lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections, obesity, anxiety disorders, allergic rhinitis, conditions related to pregnancy, and myalgia. The most common platforms used by patients are video calls (20.2%, n=315) and voice calls (18.4%, n=287) across all three sites. However, the most common platform differed per area—video calls for the urban site (85.8%), live chat for the rural site (76.1%), and voice calls for the remote site (60.6%).

Conclusion. The most common condition diagnosed among pediatric patients consulting through telemedicine is upper respiratory tract infection. The most common platforms used to seek consult through telemedicine are live chat, video calls, and voice calls, with differences noted per site.

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Published

2024-08-30

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 15 (2024)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

1.
Pediatric Conditions and Platforms of Telemedicine Used in Philippine Primary Care: A Cross-sectional Study. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2024 Aug. 30 [cited 2025 Apr. 9];58(15). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/8458

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