2.2 Telemedicine Clinic:
A Telemedicine Clinic was established at Allied Hospital only. This clinic comprised consultants and postgraduate residents of the two hospitals from the specialties: medicine, surgery, gynecology & obstetrics, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and ear/nose/throat (ENT) departments. Specific Skype IDs and WhatsApp numbers for different specialties were established and advertised in local print and electronic media as well as via posters and banners displayed in and outside the two hospitals at various places. The patients could contact these numbers from 8:00 am till 3:00 pm daily except Sundays.
The data related to the number and categories of calls and advice provided was collected from 27th March 2020 till 31st July 2020. The study received ethical approval from the Ethical Review Committee of Faisalabad Medical University.