Understanding Telemedicine: Measuring Beneficiaries' Satisfaction and Key Call Metrics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Telemedicine has rapidly evolved as an essential element of healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia. This study explored a current perspective on the extent of utilization and level of beneficiaries' satisfaction with telemedicine services in Saudi Arabia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from January 2022 to June 2023. It used secondary data on telemedicine services extracted from 937-Medical call center and immediate virtual consultations (IVCs) via the Sehhaty health application, including offered, answered, abandoned, and non-assigned consultations; average talk time (ATT); and average waiting time or speed of answer (ASA). There were 7,481,259 offered calls to 937-Medical call center during the study period. The ASA was 13.2 ± 3.0 s, and the ATT was 2.04 ± 0.31 min. Around 97% of the offered calls were handled in the first half of 2023 with a shorter ASA of 10.5 ± 0.6 s. Most beneficiaries (94.9%) were satisfied with the 937-Medical call center. There were 712,984 offered IVCs during the study period. The ASA was 3.41 ± 1.07 min, and the ATT was 7.3 ± 0.7 min. Most beneficiaries (77.7%) were satisfied with the IVCs. This study provided an updated overview on the use of telemedicine services and beneficiaries' satisfaction via 937-Medical call center and Sehhaty health application in Saudi Arabia between January 2022 and June 2023. 937-Medical call center service could handle about 96% of its received calls. Notably, most health seekers were satisfied with the healthcare services provided via the 937-Medical call center and Sehhaty health application.