Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management
Published on: January 19, 2024
Feasibility and Challenges of Telemedicine in Delivering Emergency Healthcare Among Digitally-Connected Populations
Waheeb Naser1, Yaser Aljaro1, Mohammed Alzubairy1
1Emergency Department Hamad Medical Corporation Doha Qatar.
Background And Aims:
Yemen's healthcare system is severely weakened by prolonged conflict, limited resources, and workforce shortages, resulting in poor health outcomes. Telemedicine may offer solutions for emergency care provision in such fragile systems, yet its feasibility and adoption in Yemen remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of telemedicine for emergency healthcare among digitally connected individuals in Yemen and to identify key barriers and predictors of adoption.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey targeted adults aged 18-80 years with internet access across Yemen, conducted from November 2024 to December 2024. A self-administered, piloted questionnaire delivered via KoboToolbox collected data on demographics, telemedicine awareness and use, and perceived barriers. Main outcomes were telemedicine awareness, utilization for emergency care, and reported barriers. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and key measures; logistic regression identified predictors of telemedicine adoption.
Results:
Among 263 respondents (mean age 33.8 years, SD 10.5; 71.1% male), 59.3% reported frequent digital device use and 57.4% had reliable internet. Only 21.3% were aware of telemedicine. Emergency telemedicine use was reported by 18.3%, mainly for pain management (62.5%) and pediatric emergencies (25.0%), while use for stroke, cardiac, trauma, and obstetric emergencies was less common. Adoption was higher among healthcare workers (45.7% vs. 20.9%; OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.27-3.61) and those with reliable internet (26.5% vs. 18.3%; OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.05-3.24). Major barriers included poor connectivity (73.0%), limited trust or awareness (49.0%), insufficient staff training (43.7%), and weak infrastructure (42.2%).
Conclusion:
Telemedicine is underutilized for emergency care among Yemen's digitally connected population, mainly due to infrastructure, digital literacy, and trust barriers. Addressing these gaps through improved connectivity, provider training, local guidelines, and policy development is essential to advance emergency telemedicine in fragile health systems.
More Related Videos
07:48Intraoperative Video Consultation Following Bile Duct Transection Facilitates Direct OR Transfer for Robotic Hepaticojejunostomy at Tertiary Center
Published on: January 9, 2026
09:55Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:29Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...
01:30Current Trends in Nursing II
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:18Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...