Introduction: Given technological advancements and the growing trend of teleconsultation in medicine, this study aimed to deeply examine physicians' experiences regarding the applications and role of this method in the clinical decision-making process within the challenging specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Methods: This qualitative research was part of a Ph.D. dissertation. Data were collected and analyzed through semi-structured interviews with 16 obstetricians and gynecologists from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
Results: The findings were extracted within several main themes, including application scenarios (cases with diagnostic uncertainty in pelvic and pregnancy-related issues, treatment-resistant patients, settings with limited resources, high-stress obstetric emergencies, and high-risk pregnancies), supportive benefits (emotional and intellectual support for less-experienced physicians), operational benefits (quicker access and overcoming geographical limitations), and impact on decision-making (enabling consultation, teamwork, and improved decision-making).
Discussion: Based on the participants' experiences, it seems that teleconsultation can act as a supportive guiding resource in complex and ambiguous clinical situations within this specialty and facilitate the decision-making process. Its success necessitates adherence to appropriate ethical, legal, and technical frameworks.
Keywords: Teleconsultation, Clinical Decision-Making, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Physician