Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional pilot survey was to assess patients’ perception and acceptance of a tele(oral)medicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a telephone survey on 84 patients of MoMax ambulatory at the Department of Oral Sciences and Maxillofacial Surgery at “Sapienza” University of Rome, Polyclinic Umberto I. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded, and a 24 question-survey was completed. A Chi-square test and an ANOVA test were performed with a significance level of 5% to determine the association between two target questions of the survey (Q22 and Q23) and specific variables such as computer skills, conditions influencing the experience of the conventional visit, and the difficulty in taking intraoral photos. Sixty-two (73.8%) patients declared an interest in the use of a tele(oral)medicine program. Furthermore, 41 (48.8%) participants preferred this type of visit to a conventional odontostomatological visit. Significative statistical associations were found between patients’ interest in a tele(oral)medicine service and computer skills, conditions influencing the experience of the conventional visit, and the difficulty in taking intraoral photos. Our study showed that the tele(oral)medicine program appears to meet the expectations and needs of our patients.
Highlights
The most appropriate definition of telemedicine (TM) is provided by the World HealthOrganization (WHO), which defines TM as the delivery of healthcare services using information and communications technologies (ICT) for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease as well as research and education in the health field [1]
After the declaration made on 11 March 2020 by the World HealthOrganization (WHO), the epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was proclaimed a global pandemic
With the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19, telemedicine allows for the follow-up of patients who can be remotely monitored, decreasing patient mobilization and reducing the risk of virus dissemination [12,13]
Summary
The most appropriate definition of telemedicine (TM) is provided by the World HealthOrganization (WHO), which defines TM as the delivery of healthcare services using information and communications technologies (ICT) for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease as well as research and education in the health field [1]. TM is able to facilitate communication and interaction between the healthcare provider and patient and between the providers themselves. It can, to a certain extent, remove geographical and temporal barriers, bridging gaps in the nonhomogeneous distribution of healthcare services [2]. The transmission of COVID-19 occurs through liquid particles (respiratory droplets and aerosols) and by contact with contaminated surfaces. Following the recent shelter-in-place orders across Italy, the majority of oral medicine clinics in hospitals, dental schools, and private practice settings are faced with the challenge of maintaining regular oral medicine services while keeping their patients, providers, and staff from being exposed to COVID-19 [5]
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