Knowledge, awareness, and practices of telehealth: A cross-sectional study on psychiatric nurses in Jeddah City

Abstract

The emergence of telehealth stands at the forefront of healthcare evolution, particularly in mental healthcare delivery. The efficacy and adoption of this modality, however, are largely contingent upon the awareness and competence of professionals in the field. This study sought to investigate the awareness, attitudes, and proficiency of psychiatric nurses in Jeddah City regarding telehealth, providing insights into its applicability and potential challenges in the region. Findings indicated that a significant 81% of psychiatric nurses in Jeddah City are familiar with telehealth. Attitudinally, the majority viewed telehealth favorably, with an overall mean attitude score of 3.7 ± 0.91 on a 5-point scale. Proficiency-wise, foundational digital skills were robust, with 72.4% showcasing medium to professional competence in basic computing tasks. However, more specialized telehealth-specific tasks identified areas for enhancement, such as installing software where only 40.4% demonstrated professional or medium competency. Psychiatric nurses in Jeddah exhibit a strong foundational readiness for the integration of telehealth, underscored by their considerable awareness and largely positive attitudes. Targeted training, especially in niche digital areas, is paramount to ensure telehealth's seamless integration and efficacy in mental healthcare delivery.