Acceptability of Telemedicine in a Geriatric Outpatient Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine utilization has increased dramatically during the COVID pandemic. Few studies have evaluated the use and acceptability of telemedicine in older populations. This study examined the use and acceptability of telemedicine with older adults in an urban, geriatric practice. Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to patients seen at an urban, geriatric practice using MyChart in EPIC in March 2021. This population of patients is 55 years and older, 50% Black, 40% white, 3% Latino, 3% Asian, and 4% other. This panel is comprised of 71% Medicare, 23% non-Medicare/non-Medicaid, and 6% Medicaid. The total panel of patients includes ∼1,400 patients. The percent of patients on MyChart at the time of the survey was 78%. Thus, about 1,092 patients received the survey. Results: Of the 1,092 patients who received the survey, 247 (22.6%) responded. Around 80.37% of respondents rated their overall experience with telemedicine as good or excellent. Theme areas emerged around the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine. A majority (70.28%) of respondents rated themselves as Somewhat Confident to Very Confident in use of telemedicine without family/friend assistance. A majority (74.16%) of respondents stated they plan to use telemedicine again. Conclusions: This survey demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of telemedicine in an urban, geriatric population. A limit to this study is that the survey was administered on-line, so that participants may be biased regarding use of online technology. However, this study showed that the vast majority of older adults were confident in using telemedicine as an alternative to in-person visits during the COVID pandemic and plan on using it again.