Table 5

- Statistical difference between the knowledge and perception scores regarding the psychiatrists’ socio-demographic characteristics. (n=103).

FactorsKnowledge score (21) Mean±SDH/Z test P-valuePerception score (5) Mean±SDH/Z test P-value
Age group a
25–35 years11.4±3.11Z=−4.2363.91±1.31Z=−3.349
>35 years13.1±3.57p<0.001**4.39± 0.92p=0.001 **
Gender b
Male12.5±3.41Z=−1.6214.27±1.01Z=−1.897
Female11.9±3.53p=0.1053.89±1.39p=0.058
Nationality b
Saudi12.4±3.52Z=−0.2524.19±1.11Z=−0.840
Non-Saudi12.1±3.14p=0.8013.98±1.32p=0.401
Positiona
Resident11.4±3.24H=23.1984.09±1.17H=3.050
Specialist12.2±2.733.99±1.38
Consultant13.6±3.78p<0.001**4.36±0.91p=0.218
Years of clinical experience a
1–5 years11.2±2.93H=22.6094.08±1.15H=7.035
6–10 years12.5±3.233.89±1.42
11–15 years13.4±3.69p<0.001**4.23±1.18p=0.071
>15 years13.2±3.774.46±0.76
How often do you interact with patients via emails or social media in your role as a doctor?a
Never10.0±2.88H=36.3783.88± 1.19H=8.066
Sometimes/Rarely12.8±3.22p<0.001 **4.17±1.11p=0.018 **
Often/Always12.8±3.624.28±1.18
Number of smart devices a
One11.9±3.66H=6.3494.08±1.22H=4.799
Two12.4±3.454.07±1.14
Three12.9±3.17p=0.0964.41±0.89p=0.187
More than three11.9±3.444.09±1.39
Have patients asked about online methods to contact you?b
Yes12.7±3.51Z=−3.7124.19±1.15Z=−1.639
No11.1±2.95p<0.001**4.04±1.14p=0.101
Are you concerned regarding possible legal issues when interacting with patients online?b
Yes12.4±3.41Z=638.374.14±1.14Z=1.109
No12.1±3.67p=0.5654.24±1.20p=0.268
  • ap-value was calculated using the Kruskal–Wallis H-test, bp-value was calculated using the Mann