Telehealth Usability Questionnaire Research Articles

Descriptive study of patient outcome and satisfaction with telemedicine and physical consultation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study was conducted to assess patients' outcome and satisfaction with the eye care received with telemedicine and physical consultation at a tertiary care hospital during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A descriptive study was carried out on 6052 patients who consulted for eye illness at a tertiary care hospital between April 2020 and December 2022. An outcome scoring system was developed and validated for the assessment of patient outcome after providing treatment on telemedicine consultation and physical consultation. Outcome scores for various symptoms were compared pretreatment and posttreatment. Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) was used through an online survey to assess patients' satisfaction with teleophthalmology services during the COVID-19 pandemic. An 18-item Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) was used to assess the same with physical consultation. A total of 6052 patients were included in the study. Physical consultation group had 2485 patients (41.06%) and the telemedicine group had 3567 patients (58.93%). Male patients constituted 63.11% and females were 36.89%. There was a significant improvement in outcome scores for pain and redness in both physical and telemedicine consultation groups (P < 0.0001). All subgroups of TUQ had significantly high scores (including usefulness, ease of use and learnability, interface quality, interaction quality, and satisfaction and future use), except one subgroup (reliability). Uneducated patients were significantly more satisfied with telemedicine compared to educated patients (P = 0.044). Majority of patients expressed satisfaction with teleophthalmology services. The recent pandemic paved the way for the future integration of telemedicine in ophthalmology, especially if virtual eye examinations attain a higher level of reliability.

Validated translation of telehealth and health app usability questionnaires to 8 European languages

Abstract International projects such as the Joint Action on strengthening eHealth including telemedicine and remote monitoring for health care systems for cancer prevention and care (eCAN) are implemented in countries with different languages, requiring validation of translations of standardized tools. Evaluation frameworks for telemedicine services necessarily include the patient’s perspective, i.a. on the service usability. Due to the lack of validated questionnaires in multiple European languages we sought to develop translation for the languages of the eCAN pilot countries. Based on literature review, we selected mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) and Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and developed a conceptual definition for each item. Next, we performed forward and back translation from English into the target languages, expert review, cognitive interview (CI) with 5-10 cancer or chronic disease patients per language/per questionnaire. Qualitative CI results were scored by 2 independent researchers for consistence of each item with conceptual definitions for final review by native speaker expert. We chose 8 languages (ES, GR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PT, SI) for validation. CI involved 48 respondents (29 females, 60%; 18 aged&amp;gt;60, 38%;23 higher education, 48%) for TUQ and 48 (22 females, 46%; 16 aged&amp;gt;60, 33%; 23 higher education, 48%) for MAUQ. Overall 872 (87%) of TUQ and 728 (84%) of MAUQ item answers were classified as consistent. In more than one language we identified concepts difficult to understand: consistent navigation when moving between screens, distinction between easy to use/learn, social settings. The validation process allowed us to identify opportunities to improve translation and highlighted concepts generally more difficult to understand. We provided validated translation of MAUQ and TUQ in 8 European languages for use in eCAN pilots and future telemedicine evaluation studies. Key messages • eCAN successfully validated translations of telemedicine usability questionnaires for 8 languages. • Multilingual translation validation can provide insights into concepts difficult across languages.

Is there a Solution to Lengthy Hospital Stays for Nursing Home Residents? Our Nursing Home Liaison Team Are Virtually There

Abstract Background Research indicates that Nursing Home residents frequently undergo transfers to acute care, leading to adverse events and functional decline (Brucksch et al., 2018). Local data from highlights the significance of this issue, with 447 admissions averaging 11.1 days in 2022 (HIPE, 2023). Hospital at Home is recognised as a cost-effective alternative for older patients (Singh et al., 2022). The proposed solution involves implementing Virtual Wards, remote telemetry, and a Nursing Home Liaison team led by a Consultant Geriatrician. This initiative targets Early Supported Discharge to reduce the hospital length of stay for Nursing Home patients. The study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using the Virtual Ward platform in this service. Methods The study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using the Virtual Ward platform, primarily utilising the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) (Parmanto et al., 2016). A Simulation Lab was also used to test the digital solution before its clinical implementation. Additionally, debriefing sessions were conducted to assess clinicians' perceptions of the technology and identify any potential issues. Results The TUQ scores for clinicians using a Virtual Ward for Nursing Home patients show a notably positive outcome. With an average score of 120.5 out of 147, the system received significant approval. The range of scores, from 111 to 139, demonstrates a consistent positive perception among respondents. After simulation-based training in the Simulation Lab, participants reflected on their experiences with Virtual Ward technology. They found it useful, easy to navigate and committed to future use. However, they also identified areas, such as information retrieval, needing refinement. Increased training was suggested to address these concerns. Conclusion The Virtual Ward system demonstrates significant approval. In light of these promising results, we are proceeding with the plan to launch the Virtual Wards in May 2024 to complement the existing team.

Investigating the Inter-Rater Reliability and Usability of Telehealth for Home Hazard Falls-Risk Assessment After Stroke

Introduction: Stroke survivors are more likely to fall at home. A home hazard assessment may be beneficial to reduce the risk of falling; however, it is resourceful and time-intensive. This study examines the inter-rater reliability and usability of telehealth for a hazard assessment to address the risk of falls. Materials and Methods: Two occupational therapists accessed the telehealth platform from different locations and simultaneously rated participants’ home environment using the home falls and accident screening Tool. Stroke survivors and their caregivers answered the telehealth usability questionnaire. Results: A total of 36 stroke survivors and 31 caregivers participated in the study. Gwet’s AC1 was used for agreement analysis. The overall AC1 value for the inter-rater reliability was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66%, 1.00%). There was a moderate correlation between the raters (r=0.57, P=0.000). Bland and Altman graph plot showed a mean difference of -0.61 and 97.2% of the difference score fell within the limits of agreement (95% CI, -5.67%, 4.39%). The overall mean score of the telehealth usability questionnaire was 5.62 out of 7. Conclusion: Telehealth technology is a potential medium that provides an opportunity for synchronous practitioner-client interaction in evaluating home hazards. Some challenges were noted during the telehealth sessions, thus requiring a brief protocol to navigate the system.

Demographic differences between patients selecting video or telephone for contraceptive counseling via telehealth

ObjectiveTo explore differences in demographic characteristics and telehealth usability between patients who chose video versus telephone for telehealth contraceptive counseling. Study designThis was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort comparing the interpersonal quality of contraceptive counseling between in-person and telehealth visits at a single Title X-funded clinic. Before the clinical visit, a non-clinician counselor provided structured contraceptive counseling based on patients’ preferred modality. After counseling, respondents completed an electronic survey which included the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). Post-visit, the counselor evaluated perceived patient engagement. We calculated Area Deprivation Index (ADI) percentiles to characterize neighborhood environment. We compared characteristics between patients choosing video and telephone using Poisson regression and performed analyses stratified by ADI to test for effect modification. ResultsBetween March 2021 and June 2022, we enrolled 149 patients in the telehealth group: 146 (98%) were included in the analysis. Seventy percent of respondents chose telephone. Higher ADI, Black race, and lower educational level (<4 years college) were associated with choosing telephone in the unadjusted analysis. However, after stratifying by ADI, only lower educational level remained associated with choice of telephone among respondents from more deprived neighborhoods (aRR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01–2.11). We observed no differences in TUQ scores between respondents choosing telephone and video. ConclusionWhen given the option, more patients selected telephone than video for telehealth contraceptive counseling. No demographic characteristics were associated with choice of telephone among patients with a higher ADI. Offering telephone-based telehealth may improve access for people seeking contraceptive services. ImplicationsWe found that telephone-based telehealth is preferable for some patients, which may reflect differences in access to or comfort with video technology. We observed that higher ADI, Black race, and lower education level were associated with choice of telephone, although not after stratifying by ADI. Utilization of telephone-based telehealth may improve access for some patients and lead to more equitable-based health care.

Evaluating the Usability of a Telehealth System for People with COPD: A Cross Sectional Study.

Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations. However, the effect of telehealth for COPD remains uncertain, which may be due to a lack of attention to usability during the development of telehealth solutions. The aim was to evaluate the usability of a telehealth system for COPD using the Danish Telehealth Usability Questionnaire. A total of 96 people with COPD, who were already using a telehealth system consisting of weekly measurements of physiological parameters and symptom-related questionnaires, were included. The D-TUQ was used to assess the usability of the telehealth system. The overall experience with the usability of the telehealth system was mainly positive, but there was room for improvement.

2225 Geriatric patients in virtual wards; technology adoption style, ease of use, and adherence to remote monitoring technology

Abstract Introduction NHS England is committed to the expansion of virtual wards, necessitating patient engagement with home care technology. Literature suggests there is a technology adoption lag among older populations. We investigated if this lag was evident in geriatric virtual ward patients. Methods Data from three NHS trusts using a virtual care platform (March 2021–August 2023) were aggregated to assess differences in perceived ease of use, technology adoption style, and measures of adherence. All patients received the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire Ease of Use (EOU) subsection (higher scores indicate higher EOU). Patients completed surveys via tablet, wore monitoring devices, and took blood pressure readings. We dichotomised age (&amp;lt;75 vs. 75+) and used Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney tests. Results Of 857 patients, 36.9% were geriatric (mean age 81.5 years). The younger group (mean age 59.1 years) had 541 patients. Gender was evenly split between age groups (p = 0.62). Median EOU scores were 5.5 (geriatric) and 6.2 (younger) (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Geriatric patients were more likely to avoid or delay technology adoption (82% vs. 56% in younger patients, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Geriatric patients had higher adherence to the wearable device (median 95.3%) compared to younger patients (93.3%, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Blood pressure (median 81.6%) and survey adherence (median 83.3%) did not significantly differ between groups (p = 0.076, p = 0.0501). Conclusions Despite perceptions and literature suggesting older patients are less comfortable with technology, our findings demonstrate high engagement in virtual ward technology. While differences exist in technology adoption and EOU scores, geriatric patients exhibit equal or higher adherence to remote monitoring tasks. These results challenge stereotypes and underscore the importance of incorporating technology in geriatric care.

Perceptions of telehealth use by PAs post-COVID-19.

Use of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring can provide significant cost savings through improved disease control and reduced exacerbations. This study investigated physician associates'/assistants' (PAs') perceptions of telemedicine to inform future use and expansion of these programs. The Telehealth Usability Questionnaire was completed by 30 PAs recruited via social media. Data were coded and analyzed through an electronic spreadsheet program. PAs generally felt that telemedicine was a helpful tool to increase access to care (M = 4.129) but did not replace in-person visits. Variation in responses related specifically to the platform indicated PAs' varying experiences about ease of use. Findings demonstrated that PAs from a variety of practice settings found telemedicine to be a helpful tool to reduce barriers and improve access to care. However, PAs did not feel that telemedicine replaces in-person visits.

Telehealth usability in a university student physiotherapy clinic during COVID-19.

'Telehealth' online delivery of physiotherapy was the only option during the Covid 19 pandemic in many areas. This was a challenge for physiotherapy training in student clinics where students, clinical educators (CEs) and clients were in three separate locations. The aim of this study was to determine the usability and acceptability of online delivery in a physiotherapy student clinic. An observational cross-sectional design was used. Clients (adult clients or carers of paediatric clients), students and CEs participated in telehealth physiotherapy appointments over a Telehealth platform called NeoRehab. The three groups were then invited to complete the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). The 21 item TUQ uses a 7-point Likert scale and covers six constructs (Usefulness, Ease of Use, Interface quality, Interaction quality, Reliability, Satisfaction). Data were analysed from 39 clients, 15 students, and seven CEs. The respective domain scores (SD) for Usefulness [(5.3 (1.5), 5.4 (0.7), 5.1 (0.7)] and Satisfaction [5.1 (1.6), 5.0 (1.0), 5.4 (0.7)] were similarly high across groups, while scores for Reliability [3.7 (1.5), 3.6 (1.0), 3.0 (0.5)] were similarly low across groups. Interface Quality [5.0 (1.5), 4.5 (1.2), 4.1 (0.8)] scores were similarly moderate. Ease of Use [5.6 (1.5), 5.3 (1.0), 4.1 (1.1)] scores were significantly higher in clients than CEs (p=0.043). Interaction Quality [5.0 (1.4), 3.9 (1.3), 4.2 (0.9)] scores were significantly higher in clients compared with students (p=0.03). All groups agreed that the delivery format was useful, easy to use and provided a satisfactory service but was not reliable.

Patient Opinions about Virtual Consultations in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

There have been no nationwide studies of patient opinions regarding telehealth in Saudi Arabia to identify the factors that might influence patients' perceptions and satisfaction. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of adults in the general population who last engaged with a healthcare practitioner via a virtual appointment. The participants were recruited by convenience sampling across Saudi Arabia between November 2023 and January 2024, completing a questionnaire that gathered data on (i) basic demographic and virtual consultation information and (ii) telehealth service delivery and technology based on the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire. Of the 916 participants, 53.7% were female, with a mean age of 47.2 (14.1) years. Nearly half attended primary care appointments, with the remainder attending a range of hospital specialties. Over 90% preferred having a virtual appointment over an in-person visit. About half had telephone consultations, while about a third had video calls through hospital-provided platforms; >90% found virtual appointments useful and convenient, easy to use, effective, reliable, and produced a favorable clinical interaction; and 97.4% were satisfied with their remote consultation experience despite the technical interruptions. The individuals who were less happy with their virtual consultation were significantly younger, lived in urban areas, attended specialty clinics, were seen by a psychologist, preferred in-person appointments, and had consultations by telephone. These data provide momentum to continue with and expand telehealth, especially through video calls, supported by educational initiatives.

Cochlear Implant Remote Assist: Clinical and Real-World Evaluation

Objectives To develop and evaluate Cochlear™ Remote Assist (RA), a smartphone-based cochlear implant (CI) teleaudiology solution. The development phase aimed to identify the minimum features needed to remotely address most issues typically experienced by CI recipients. The clinical evaluation phase assessed ease of use, call clarity, system latency, and CI recipient feedback. Design The development phase involved mixed methods research with experienced CI clinicians. The clinical evaluation phase involved a prospective single-site clinical study and real-world use across 16 clinics. Study sample CI clinicians (N = 23), CI recipients in a clinical study (N = 15 adults) and real-world data (N = 57 CI recipients). Results The minimum feature set required for remote programming in RA, combined with sending replacements by post, should enable the clinician to address 80% of the issues typically seen in CI follow-up sessions. Most recipients completed the RA primary tasks without prior training and gave positive ratings for usefulness, ease of use, effectiveness, reliability, and satisfaction on the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire. System latency was reported to be acceptable. Conclusion RA is designed to help clinicians address a significant proportion of issues typically encountered by CI recipients. Clinical study and real-world evaluation confirm RA’s ease of use, call quality, and responsiveness.

Telemedicine Usability and Satisfaction among Pediatric Rheumatology Patients and their Caregivers during COVID-19 Pandemic.

The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic opened an opportunity to explore the role of telemedicine in pediatric rheumatology clinic as well as patient satisfaction with virtual visits. To determine the usability and satisfaction rate of telemedicine among pediatric rheumatology patients and their caregivers. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among patients and caregivers consulting via telemedicine at a pediatric rheumatology clinic of University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP - PGH), a tertiary government hospital. Collected data included socio-demographics and the validated Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). There were 39 (55.7%) patients and 31 (44.3%) primary caregivers included in the study. Across all usability factors, the response of primary caregivers did not significantly differ from those of patients. The average scores across all questions for both patients and primary caregivers were 5.96±1.19 and 6.04±1.34, respectively. This showed a high level of agreement that they were highly satisfied with telemedicine experience. Among the different usability factors, questions related to usefulness obtained the highest mean score for both patients (6.11±1.17) and primary caregivers (6.12±1.38). While the lowest mean score was observed on questions related to reliability, 5.65±1.33 for patients and 5.89±1.31 for primary caregivers. Pediatric rheumatology patients as well as their caregivers are generally highly satisfied with telemedicine during this time of pandemic. With high patient and caregiver satisfaction, telemedicine could be an option for ambulatory patient care even after pandemic.

Patients' perception of using telehealth for consultation: insights after pandemic and development of an online calculator platform to predict acceptance of remote consultation: the TELEMED international study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a change in healthcare models. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient acceptance of telehealth as an alternative to physical consultations, and to identify factors predicting higher satisfaction. This was an observational, cross-sectional, multi-center, international study. All consecutive patients for whom telehealth was used in consultations between April and July 2020 were considered for inclusion. The validated Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) was used as a model to measure patient acceptance. Overall, 747 patients were observed, of whom 721 agreed to participate (96·5%). The TUQ showed that 86·9% of patients agreed that telehealth was useful; 85·2% supported the interface quality and 81·4% endorsed the interaction quality. Patients aged > 60 y were less likely to agree with the use of telehealth (p < 0·05). A web-based prediction tool was generated to calculate global satisfaction and to identify patients more likely to feel comfortable with telehealth. Telehealth is feasible and allows consultations that are satisfactory for patients. Technological advancements could ease safe implementation of telehealth into everyday practice. Adequate patient selection can be useful to ensure that the ideal strategy is used for each individual during and after the pandemic.

Evaluating the WISE (Women in the South-East) Telehealth Network: A Model of Healthcare and Health Promotion at Rural Libraries.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the WISE (Women in the South-East) Telehealth Network. A follow-up survey design was used to determine the impact of the program on access to healthcare. WISE provided preventive care to women and gender expansive people at local libraries and the Mobile Library in the rural South Carolina Lowcountry. In 1year (February 2021-2022), WISE reached 523 individuals with 151 agreeing to participate in the study. Most participants identified as white (66%) or Black (22%). A Community Health Worker provided health education, connection to telehealth services, referrals, and connected individuals with community and social services. The Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), changes in knowledge, satisfaction with WISE, Acceptability of Intervention measure (AIM), and sociodemographic characteristics. Participants with a high telehealth usability score were significantly more likely to be under the age of 35 (OR 4.60 [95% CI 1.21-17.52]), married (OR 10.00 [95% CI 2.19-45.64]), or white (OR 4.00 [95% CI 1.06-15.08]). The intervention earned a high acceptability score 4.46 (± .61)/5.0 by helping participants obtain necessary medical care and resources, as well as meeting their educational needs. This study offers practical suggestions to expand the use of telehealth initiatives to improve health outcomes by engaging libraries in rural communities.

Utilization and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine During the First 6 Weeks of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Largest Pediatric Ambulatory Network in New York State.

Objective: We aimed to (1) describe telemedicine utilization and usability during the first 6 weeks of the pandemic and (2) determine if usability varied by individual- or visit-level characteristics. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of ambulatory pediatric telemedicine visits occurring between March 10, 2020, and April 18, 2020, across a large academic health system. We performed manual chart review to assess individual- and visit-level characteristics and invited caregivers to respond to an adapted Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). We used multiple logistic regression to determine predictors of high usability. Results: There were 3,197 ambulatory pediatric telemedicine visits, representing 2,967 unique patients. Patients were racially/ethnically diverse (42.5% non-Hispanic White) and primarily English-speaking (89.2%). Surveys were completed by 441 (17%) of those invited. Every item of the TUQ had agreement or strong agreement from the majority of respondents. Compared with non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Asian identity was associated with lower usability in three domains and overall, and non-Hispanic Black identity was associated with higher satisfaction and future use. As compared with caregivers of infants younger than 1 year, caregivers of older patients reported lower usability in the three domains. Conclusions: Telemedicine was successfully implemented across 18 ambulatory pediatric specialties in the largest health system in New York State at the onset of COVID-19, and caregivers found it usable and acceptable. Usability scores did not vary by visit-level characteristics but did vary by race/ethnicity and age. Further research is necessary to identify modifiable drivers of the patient experience, particularly in non-Hispanic Asian communities and older adolescents.

Parental use and acceptance of an accessible, commercially available intraoral camera for teledentistry in their children.

The potential of combining teledentistry and engaging parents as underutilised resources to monitor paediatric dental health was emphasised during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains underexplored. This study aims to assess parental acceptance and use of a commercially available intraoral camera (IOC) for effective remote monitoring. 47 child-parent dyads, where the parent was the main caregiver and the child was treated under general anaesthesia for early childhood caries, were recruited. Caregivers were trained to image their child's teeth on a commercially available IOC. Subsequently, submitted images were reviewed asynchronously by dentists for image quality, presence of dislodged fillings, abscesses, cavitation, and oral hygiene. Post-surgery monitoring was performed using teledentistry at 1 and 2months and in-person at 4months. A modified Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) was used to record caregiver acceptance for study procedures. A mean TUQ of 6.09 out of 7 was scored by caregivers. Caregiver-reported issues were limited to problems with technique and child uncooperativeness. The number of clear images during the second teledentistry review was improved compared to the first (p = 0.007). 68% of children liked having images of their teeth taken. This study supports the feasibility of using an IOC as a clinically appropriate avenue for teledentistry with a high level of caregiver-child acceptance.

Telemedicine for Potential Application in Austere Military Environments: Neurosurgical Support for a Decompressive Craniectomy.

The main goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of a head-mounted display (HMD) providing telemedicine neurosurgical support during a decompressive craniectomy by a military surgeon who is isolated from readily available neurosurgical care. The secondary aim was to assess the usability perceived by the military surgeon and to evaluate technical aspects of the head-mounted display. After a standard concise lecture, 10 military surgeons performed a decompressive craniectomy on a AnubiFiX-embalmed post-mortem human head. Seven military surgeons used a HMD to receive telemedicine neurosurgical support. In the control group, three military surgeons performed a decompressive craniectomy without guidance. The performance of the decompressive craniectomy was evaluated qualitatively by the supervising neurosurgeon and quantified with the surgeons' operative performance tool. The military surgeons rated the usability of the HMD with the telehealth usability questionnaire. All military surgeons performed a decompressive craniectomy adequately directly after a standard concise lecture. The HMD was used to discuss potential errors and reconfirmed essential steps. The military surgeons were very satisfied with the HMD providing telemedicine neurosurgical support. Military surgeons in the control group were faster. The HMD showed no hard technical errors. It is feasible to provide telemedicine neurosurgical support with a HMD during a decompressive craniectomy performed by a non-neurosurgically trained military surgeon. All military surgeons showed competence in performing a decompressive craniectomy after receiving a standardized concise lecture. The use of a HMD clearly demonstrated the potential to improve the quality of these neurosurgical procedures performed by military surgeons.

Telemedicine for Routine Prenatal Care: Use and Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Telemedicine use in prenatal care has greatly expanded without substantial research. Optimizing user experiences can increase telemedicine's utilization to support care access. The purpose of this study was to explore patient and provider experiences using telemedicine for routine prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying factors affecting its utilization and satisfaction. In this mixed methods study, online surveys and semi-structured interviews with pregnant and postpartum patients and perinatal providers across the United States were used to explore experiences with telemedicine and prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from July to December 2021. Survey findings were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and interviews were thematically coded and analyzed, followed by mixed methods analysis. Results of 946 surveys (750 patients and 196 providers) and 30 interviews (15 patients and 15 providers) met inclusion for analysis. Telemedicine was utilized by 42% of patients and 72% of perinatal provider participants. The primary reason patients did not use telemedicine was because it was not offered. Patients and providers who did not use telemedicine expressed the following main concerns with virtual care: uncertainty about care quality, particularly when blood pressure and the fetal heart rate were not assessed, and potential challenges with developing trusting patient-provider relationships. Patients and providers who used telemedicine rated their experience as mild to moderate satisfaction across the 6 Telehealth Usability Questionnaire domains. Satisfaction scores were not dependent on whether physical examination components were included in virtual visits. Providing patients with the choice to use telemedicine as needed or combined with in-person visits for routine prenatal care may increase care utilization. Although not directly linked with satisfaction, interest in using telemedicine would likely increase for patients and providers concerned with care quality if blood pressure and fetal heart rate are assessed during virtual visits.

Patient Perceptions on Telepsychiatry as an In-Consult Alternative During COVID-19 Pandemic: Peruvian Adaptation of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire.

Objective: To identify the perceptions of the patients who received alternative care by telepsychiatry at the Cayetano Heredia Hospital (HCH). Methods: This research consisted of two phases: (1) transcultural adaptation of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) with three experts and (2) application of the questionnaire in 183 patients from psychiatry in HCH. Nonparametric tests were used to determine the association between variables. Results: We applied 20 questions to 60 men and 123 women, with a median age of 45. The ease of using the virtual consultation service, the comfort with its use, and the general satisfaction had a score of 6 out of 7 and are associated with the number of devices that patients have and their degree of education. The usefulness, communication by virtual means, and the solution of technical problems had scores higher than 6, being considered acceptable by the patients. Willingness to have a teleconsultation again was high and was associated with patient satisfaction with the consultation. Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with telepsychiatry via telemonitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The usage of validated tools such as TUQ might be included as part of evaluations of new telemedicine services.

Evaluation of the satisfaction and experiences of oncology patients and doctors using teleconsultation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Gustave Roussy Cancer Center introduced teleconsultation via telephone, as an alternative to face-to-face consultation to reduce patient hospital visits. This study was designed to assess patient and doctor satisfaction with this modality of care in oncology patient care during the period of the pandemic and beyond. We designed two questionnaires based on validated scores to assess satisfaction from teleconsultation in patients (EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire [TSQ] scores) and doctors (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire [TUQ]), and anxiety levels in both groups (anxiety section of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], HADS-A). These were electronically sent to patients and doctors with experience of at least one remote consultation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 239 patients and 32 doctors were eligible for the analyses. In the patient group, the mean satisfaction scores were 79.5 (SD 18.1) and 74.92 (SD 15.3) for EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ, respectively. In the doctor group, the mean satisfaction scores were 67.1 (SD 12.7) and 64.9 (SD 13.9) for TUQ and TUQ for Skype for Business, respectively. 65.7% of patients and 81.2% of doctors had no/low anxiety. Univariable analyses in patients showed correlation of the EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ scores with anxiety and gender, with lower mean scores in women compared to men. Multivariable analysis showed correlation of the EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ scores to anxiety in both patients and doctors. Teleconsultation via telephone is an acceptable modality of care for oncology patients, with high satisfaction from its implementation during the pandemic reported by patients and doctors. This was consistent across responder groups with different characteristics. An individualized approach to patients should be implemented for the safe and effective use of teleconsultation in oncology beyond the pandemic.