ArticlePloS one2026
Telehealth during and beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from licensed dietitians in an emerging economy.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe sudden onset of the SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted access to in-person nutrition consultation and prompted the rapid adoption of telehealth by dietitians.
objectiveThis study investigates the use of telehealth among Lebanese Licensed Dietitians (LDs) during COVID-19, in the absence of national telehealth practical guidelines (TPG), and offers insights into its application amid overlapping crises including a pandemic, economic crisis, and infrastructure disruption in Lebanon.
designA cross-sectional study conducted in March 2023, using an anonymous 44-question online survey, distributed via the Lebanese Order of Dietitians and social media platforms. Participants: Ninety-four dietitians participated (98.9% female, mean(SD) age: 30.54(6.41) years); mean(SD) experience: 7.89(5.7) years). Most reported practicing clinical nutrition as their primary practice area (87.2%), primarily in weight management (84%). Main outcome: Measures included Dietitians' experience with telehealth, tools used in remote consultations, perceived barriers and facilitators, and perspectives on future application. Statistical analyses: Descriptive analysis (counts, frequencies) were analyzed using SPSS version 28.
resultsTelehealth use rose from 48.4% before COVID-19 to 97.8% during it. Commonly used platforms included WhatsApp (90.3%), Zoom (72.0%), and e-mails (41.9%). Reported barriers included bad internet connection (74.2%), patients preferring face-to-face consultation (61.3%), and patients unfamiliar with emerging videoconferencing technologies (33.3%). Benefits included scheduling and time flexibility (83.9%), decrease in practice-related costs (77.4%), and compliance with social distancing measures (53.8%). Most respondents acknowledged that Telehealth is needed (78.5%) and applicable in the Lebanese context (64.6%) and called for telehealth trainings (78.5%) and national TPG development (74.2%).
conclusionThis study recognizes the growing use of telehealth in Lebanon, underscoring the need for telehealth with national regulations and evidence-based guidelines. Despite limited infrastructure, LDs continued delivering care, emphasizing the urgency for secure and standardized frameworks to support ethical and sustainable digital health practice.
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