Telemedicine in Senegal in the Digital Age: Knowledge, Perceptions, Attitudes, and Challenges of Healthcare Professionals Regarding Remote Consultations

Background: Telemedicine has become a key tool for maintaining healthcare delivery, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which transformed remote consultation practices. In Senegal, the adoption of telemedicine remains partial and requires understanding healthcare professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes. Objectives: To assess knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals in Senegal regarding telemedicine, and to identify barriers and challenges to its adoption. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study from September 10 to 19, 2025, among healthcare professionals in Senegal. Questionnaires were administered online via KoboToolbox. Data were analyzed using RStudio version 4.4.0 and Excel. Informed consent and anonymity were fully respected. Results: Among the 495 participants, there were 170 physicians, 136 nurses, 58 pharmacists, 52 midwives, 38 dentists, 5 veterinarians, and 33 support staff. Mean age was 35.19 ± 7.48 years, sex ratio = 1.33. Most participants (87.5%) had previously heard of telemedicine, primarily through colleagues (169), scientific journals (118), and media (35). Actual use involved 336 participants at least once, with WhatsApp as the main tool for teleconsultation and remote monitoring. Only 114 participants (23.03%) were aware of the legal framework. Teleconsultation was considered most suitable for general practice by 240 participants, while chronic diseases and obstetrics-gynecology accounted for 82 (16.6%) and 52 (10.5%) responses, respectively. Most recognized the importance of informed consent (84.2%). Major barriers included lack of training, weak regulation, and poor internet connectivity. Conclusion: Despite limited knowledge, healthcare professionals in Senegal perceive telemedicine as a useful and necessary tool, especially for ensuring continuity of care post-COVID-19. Targeted training and a clear legal framework are essential to strengthen adoption and effe