Khaeratunnafisah Khaeratunnafisah, Karani Lizbeth

Utilization of Telehealth in Improving the Quality of Health Services During the Pandemic: Systematic Review

Introduction

Utilization of telehealth in improving the quality of health services during the pandemic: systematic review. Systematic review on telehealth utilization to improve health service quality during the pandemic, addressing access limitations. Explores platforms and strategies.

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study aims to determine the use of telehealth in health services during the pandemic, and to determine the types of platforms used in health services during the pandemic. Methodology: This study is a review using the Systematic Review method using the PRISMA 2009 checklist guidelines which was then followed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). Main Findings: A total of 10,384 articles were identified from four types of database searches, namely Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Proquest, which had been filtered with a publication limit of the last 3 years (2019-2021). However, after screening, 9,750 articles were found that did not match the research questions and objectives, leaving 10 articles that were similar to the research topic. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study presents novelty by systematically summarizing various recent findings related to the use of telehealth as an innovative strategy in improving the quality of health services during the pandemic, especially in overcoming limited access and direct interaction between medical personnel and patients.

Review

This systematic review addresses a highly relevant and timely topic concerning the utilization of telehealth in improving the quality of health services during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stated objectives, to determine both the general use of telehealth and the specific platforms employed, are clear and directly pertinent to understanding the rapid shifts in healthcare delivery observed globally. The commitment to a systematic review methodology, guided by the PRISMA 2009 checklist and subsequent Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) for quality assessment, establishes a foundation for a rigorous and transparent approach. A notable strength is the extensive initial search across four major databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Proquest), which initially yielded a substantial pool of over 10,000 articles within the specified recent timeframe (2019-2021). While a rigorous screening process is essential for systematic reviews, the dramatic reduction to only 10 articles for final inclusion requires careful scrutiny within the full paper. This considerable attrition rate suggests either extremely precise inclusion criteria or a potential scarcity of studies directly matching the research questions, and the authors must convincingly justify the representativeness and breadth of the final selection given the vast initial pool. The study posits its novelty in systematically summarizing recent findings on telehealth as an innovative strategy to overcome access and interaction limitations during the pandemic. This is a valuable contribution, as a consolidated overview of evidence from this critical period can inform future policy and practice. To fully deliver on this promise, the complete review will need to clearly articulate the specific findings from the 10 included articles, detail how "quality of health services" was defined and measured across these studies, and elaborate on the types of platforms identified and their reported impacts. If executed thoroughly, this review has the potential to be a significant resource for understanding the early impact and strategic deployment of telehealth in crisis situations.

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