Page 15 - JSOM Fall 2023

Survey of Military Physician Receptivity
to Telemedicine and Perceived Telemedicine-Amenable
Conditions in Turkey

1
Mehmet Çetin, MD, PhD *; Mehmet Yıldırım, MD 2

ABSTRACT
Background: Today, asymmetric conflict and terrorism pose a Today especially, asymmetric conflict and terrorism threaten
threat to not only soldiers but also civilians, forcing the North not only the soldiers but also the civilian population. Many
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to confront new threats factors that result from these conflicts increase the workload
and rethink its strategy. Various studies have shown that tele- and occupational responsibilities of healthcare workers. These
medicine is one of these advancements and that it can eventu- factors include an increase in injuries and disabilities, the oc-
ally bring expert advice to the field. Telemedicine, on the other currence of migration, an increase in vulnerable populations,
hand, is new in Turkey and has yet to be implemented in the the disruption of health services in the region and the depar-
field. The aim of this study is to evaluate the support of health ture of civilian health personnel from the region, and the fact
personnel with telemedicine from the perspective of military that military health services include civilians in the operational
physicians. Methods: This study was carried out between 20 area. 4
August 2021 and 5 October 2021 with the participation of 47
military physicians working as research assistants in a training It is seen in the literature that nations try to strengthen
and research hospital. A questionnaire consisting of 17 ques- their healthcare services in the field by using telemedicine in
tions was used to evaluate military physicians‘ perspectives on cross-border operations, in both civilian medicine and in mili-
2,5
telemedicine and their expectations from it. Results: Forty-six tary operations. For this reason, the use of telemedicine has
of the participants stated that they wanted a healthcare pro- become widespread in cases in which evacuation is challenging
vider/expert opinion to consult about the patient/injured while and delayed, including disasters, epidemics, and in places out
they were on field and that telemedicine could be used within of reach from health facilities. 6
the scope of field medicine (4.51 ± 0.62). They also stated that
telemedicine centers should employ emergency medicine spe- The current COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to pro-
cialists in particular (n = 40, 85.1%). The participants agreed vide both civil and military healthcare services. Telemedicine
that these centers would be quite useful, particularly for med- is thought to be applicable, acceptable, and effective in im-
ical evacuations (n = 42, 89.4%). Conclusion: Telemedicine’s proving the results of healthcare services in difficult conditions
long-term viability in our country is thought to be contingent with restrictions, such as epidemics. Furthermore, telemedicine
upon it covering medical conditions that are practical, require can be beneficial for the sustainability of cross-border health-
fewer technical intricacies, and appeal to emergency health ser- care services. 7
vices. The openness of the personnel to innovation and change
is expected to improve harmony and cooperation. The aim of this study is to evaluate how to support the health-
care personnel working in the field with telemedicine from the
Keywords: military; telemedicine; emergency; Turkey; armed perspective of military physicians working as assistants.
forces
Methods
Population
Introduction
The study was conducted between 20 August 2021 and 05
The Turkish Armed Forces carry out various operations, October 2021 at the University of Health Science, Ankara,
both at home and abroad, and encounter casualties. Effective Turkey. The University of Health Sciences is a university that
and efficient medical intervention is needed to reduce these includes civilian and military physicians and is unique in our
casualties. country in this respect. Military physicians, who had previ-
ously served in the field and are currently working as research
Military health services have trained health personnel, who assistants at the University of Health Sciences, were included
start working from the point of injury, especially for on-site in the study. Of the 61 physicians at the hospital, 47 (77%)
and effective medical intervention, and support them with agreed to participate in the study.
post-graduation training. Thus, in theater, in addition to reliev-
ing pain and suffering, they fulfill a number of tasks including Permissions were obtained from Gülhane Faculty of Medi-
treatment, evacuation, and preventive health services for the cine Dean’s Office, Gülhane Non-Interventional Studies Sci-
protection and maintenance of the fighting manpower. 1–3 entific Ethics Committee, and the Board of Specialization and

*Correspondence to mcetin6457@gmail.com
1 Dr Mehmet Çetin is a physician and associate professor in the Department of Military Health Services, University of Health Science Ankara, Tur-
2
key. Dr Mehmet Yıldırım is a physician affiliated with the University of Health Science, Department of Military Health Services Ankara, Turkey.
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