Telemedicine Services in the University of the Philippines Health Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Two-week Process Documentation and Analysis

Background. Telemedicine provides access to health care services during pandemics. It can be utilized screen asymptomatic persons, follow up close contacts of confirmed cases, monitor individuals with symptoms, conduct specialty consultations, and offer patients pandemics.
 Objective. To describe the telemedicine processes, good practices, areas for improvement in University Philippines Health Service (UPHS) COVID-19 pandemic.
 Methods. This was a cross-sectional study document processes UPHS. All teleconsultations employees students Philippine General Hospital (PGH) UP Manila (UPM) two-week period October 2020 were included. Quantitative data collected from different modes patient entry into UPHS services: email, Online Consultation Request Appointment (OCRA) System, phone hotlines. Qualitative information gathered as narrative descriptions observations clinic’s service delivery areas. A focus group discussion also conducted illustrate steps pathway used telemedicine.
 Results. The consisted virtual triage, COVID-19/non-COVID-19 consultation, telemonitoring. triage received concerns through OCRA or hotline numbers. On other hand, teleconsultation provided who contacted clinic regarding symptoms exposure via email. non-COVID-19 had medical concerns. Coordination among staff presence consultant identified while include lack written protocols issuing fit-to-work clearance difficult cases optional use consult.
 Conclusion. at included tele-triaging, teleconsultations, telemonitoring calls, short messaging (SMS), emails, OCRA. Timely coordination, on-site duty consultants, technology practices. Lack inconsistent are improvement.