S1258 Telehealth in the Time of COVID-19: Gastroenterologists' Use and Attitudes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth involves the use of electronic information and telecommunications to promote healthcare. Physician experience is critical in assessing the impact of telehealth on clinical outcomes and utilization. Gastroenterologists' use and attitudes towards telehealth are largely unknown. We aimed to identify gastroenterologists' professional attitudes towards their use of telehealth and its effect on patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional survey of outpatient gastroenterologists and hepatologists at a single tertiary academic medical center in June 2020. Clinicians were invited to participate in an electronic survey. Survey questions involved either single or multiple categorical responses. RESULTS: A total of 46 respondents (51 ± 14 years old) participated, 70% of which were male. 44 (96%) respondents had no telehealth experience prior to the pandemic. Clinicians conducted 19 ± 13 visits weekly with a mean length of 24 ± 9 minutes. 88% of providers reported telehealth allowed for increased flexibility, both in patient scheduling and their personal lives. Telehealth was always or usually effective in addressing patients' clinical needs 91% of the time. 29 (63%) respondents estimated that 10% or fewer patients required in-person follow-up. Clinicians estimated 93% of patients desired the continued option of telehealth, and 42 (91%) providers wanted to continue telehealth in some capacity, conditional on reimbursement. Those interested would use telehealth for follow-up visits (28%), on a patient-by-patient basis (23%), or for new visits (20%). While 21 (46%) respondents felt that telehealth and in-person visits required equal effort, 16 (35%) felt telehealth required more effort. Reasons cited for telehealth requiring more effort included coordination of care (30%), technical difficulty for the patient (20%), and more charting (17%). CONCLUSION: While most clinicians had no telehealth experience before the pandemic, a majority were interested in using telehealth in the future, citing increased flexibility for both provider and patient. Physicians felt that telehealth was effective in addressing patients’ needs. However, many felt that telehealth required more effort, particularly in regard to coordination of care and technical difficulties. Newer telehealth platforms should address connectivity issues. Future studies should focus on patients’ attitudes towards telehealth, and the effect of telehealth on healthcare outcomes, utilization and costs.