Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire Research Articles

The Impact of Experience Versus Decision Aids on Patient Preference Toward Virtual Care.

Virtual care utilization has increased in recent years bringing questions of how to best inform patients regarding their use. Decision aids (DAs) are tools created to assist patients in making informed decisions about their health care. This study seeks to determine whether a DA or previous experience could better educate and influence patient's preference on virtual care. One hundred fifty participants from an orthopedic clinic of a multi-hospital system were divided into three groups. Group 1 (Virtual Care Cohort) had at least one previous virtual care visit and was surveyed with the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ). Group 2 (In-person with Decision Aid) and Group 3 (In-person without Decision Aid) had no virtual care experience. Group 2 received a validated virtual care DA with a knowledge test. Both groups were also administered the TSQ. After the DA, patients improved their score on 3 of 4 virtual care knowledge questions. Each cohort demonstrated a positive perception of virtual care; however, the specific reasons for their favorable views varied. The DA cohort did not show increased preference toward virtual care compared with the non-DA group and only responded significantly higher regarding encounter comfort. Patients with previous experience in virtual care responded most favorably to the majority of survey questions regarding their virtual care preferences when compared with both virtual care naive cohorts. We found that patient experience was the most important factor in influencing patient preference toward virtual care. Although the DA increased their virtual care knowledge it did not increase their preference; therefore, efforts should be placed at encouraging patient to experience virtual care.

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.

The effect of visual feedback-based clinical monitoring application in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

PurposeNo study has addressed the effect of patient-reported outcomes as a visual feedback tool during telerehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a visual feedback-based monitoring application PhysioAnalyst on pain, pain catastrophizing, physical functions, quality of life, usability, satisfaction, and exercise adherence in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP).MethodsA single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 44 CLBP patients. Participants were randomized into two groups: the tele-assessment feedback group (TAFG) (n = 22) and the control group (CG) (n = 22). Participants were assessed before the intervention, at the 4th week and after the intervention. Individuals were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ), and Exercise Adaptation Rating Scale (EARS) via PhysioAnalyst. Individuals in the TAFG group received graph-based visual feedback on assessment data in week 4.ResultsThe improvement in VAS, NHP, ODI, TUQ, TSQ, and EARS of individuals in TAFG was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Only ODI and PCS scores in CG showed significant improvement (p < 0.05). After the graphics-based visual feedback presented to the TAFG, the VAS, NHP-Emotional, NHP-Sleep, NHP-Total, PCS, TUQ, TSQ, ODI, and EARS scores gained more than CG (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe results confirmed the additional contribution of telerehabilitation’s graphics-based visual feedback in pain, pain catastrophizing, disability, quality of life, and exercise participation. Since the importance of continuity in long-term rehabilitation in patients with CLBP is comprehended, feedback to increase patient motivation can be added to telerehabilitation applications.

Digital physiotherapy is a satisfactory and effective method to improve the quality of life in Long COVID patients.

This research aimed to explore Long COVID patient's quality of life, satisfaction and perception with an individualized and customizable digital physiotherapy intervention during a 4-week period. A pre-post clinical trial was conducted with 32 Long COVID patients. Quality of life was assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Survey and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions questionnaire (EuroQol-5D), while satisfaction and perception were measured using the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire. Optional open-ended questions were added as qualitative approach. A mixed design method was conducted. After intervention, a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in quality of life. The SF-12 questionnaire showed an increase of 4.04 points in the physical component and 6.55 points in the mental component with a small/medium effect size. The EuroQoL-5D questionnaire demonstrated a medium effect size with an increase of 0.87 points. Patient perception indicated high rates of satisfaction and values above the minimal clinically important difference. The qualitative approach revealed several interesting findings. Participants found the digital intervention satisfactory and effective in improving their quality of life. Suggestions for improvement, such as the inclusion of face-to-face sessions, a chat for immediate contact, sound in breath exercises in the digital program, longer duration and continuity of intervention, were mentioned. Larger sample studies and in-deep qualitative methodologies are needed to draw extrapolable conclusions. NCT04742946.

Satisfaction and Experiences in Telehealth of The Filipino Patient and Caregiver: A Sequential Explanatory Single-Center Study

Introduction: The CoVID-19 pandemic paved a way for telehealth which was then considered as the “new normal”. Generally, satisfaction influences the decision making of users. This study determined patient and caregiver satisfaction and experiences with the use of telehealth services. Methods: A cross-sectional sequential explanatory design was utilized. Patients and caregivers from May to August 2022 at the Department of Internal Medicine in University of Santo Tomas Hospital initially answered the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ), followed by exploring their experiences with telehealth through key informant interviews. A score of &gt; 4 over 5 from the TSQ showed a higher satisfaction score. Pearson R correlation, Spearman Correlation, Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact Test, and Mann Whitney U test were used in the quantitative phase, while inductive thematic analysis was utilized for the qualitative phase. Results: A total of 182 patients and caregivers participated in the first phase, while 11 respondents were interviewed. There were 146 patients and 36 caregivers with mean age of 41.48 ± 12.7. The TSQ scores ranges from 4.32 to 4.62, and 96.7% of the participants had overall score of &gt;4 over 5. Age and location had significant association with telehealth services. The qualitative phase introduced three themes 1) Telemedicine: Improving Quality of Life in the Digital Age, 2) Limiting Consequences of the Primary Setup Shift in Consultations, and 3) Nuances of Traditional and Modern Health Services. Conclusion: The participants had a high overall satisfaction score which means patients and caregivers has high level of satisfaction leading to advocating the use of telehealth. Personal accounts from the interviews showed that telemedicine improved the overall quality of life of patients and caregivers. Creating a convenient, efficient, economical, safe, and comfortable health care service where actual needs of patients and caregivers are met.

Patients' Acceptability and Satisfaction With Teleconsultation for Pelvic Floor Exercises for Stress Urinary Incontinence During COVID-19

ObjectivesThis was the first urogynaecology specialty nurse teleconsultation offered by a public hospital during COVID-19 for learning pelvic floor exercises. This study assessed patients’ perception, acceptance, and satisfaction using 2 validated questionnaires. MethodsIn total, 25 patients with stress urinary incontinence attended the teleconsultation via videoconferencing in April 2022, and completed the Telemedicine Perception Questionnaire (TMPQ) and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ). The TMPQ was a 17-item, 5-point Likert scale questionnaire for assessing the acceptability of telemedicine. The TSQ was a 14-item, 5-point Likert scale questionnaire for assessing satisfaction with teleconsultation. The higher the score, the greater the acceptance and satisfaction. Information on demographics, symptom severity by Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7, internet access, and transport arrangements were included. ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 54.6 ± 7.37 years. Their mean Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 score was 40.60/100 (SD = 17.83) and Impact Questionnaire-7 was 27.90/100 (SD = 19.83). Pre-teleconsultation mean TMPQ score was 59.16 ± 5.78/85. Post-teleconsultation mean score was 64.92 ± 5.21/85, which was 3.64 higher (t = 3.642, df = 24, P = 0.001), indicating a significant increase in positive perception and acceptability. There were fewer concerns with the usage (P = 0.017) and reliability (P = 0.003) of technology, while there was increased agreement that teleconsultation is cost-saving for the health care system (P = 0.003) and offers easier access to health care providers (P = 0.006) after the teleconsultation. Mean TSQ score was 59.85 ± 9.46/70. ConclusionOur pilot study demonstrated positive perception, high acceptability, and satisfaction from patients’ first teleconsultation experience. Further multi-centre studies with the inclusion of a control group would help in understanding patients’ needs and for service planning.

Virtual OSCE examinations during COVID-19: A 360 satisfaction assessment from examiners and candidates.

We sought to determine the satisfaction rates of examiners and candidates in a Virtual Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) of graduating Canadian urology residents. An annual mock exam, aimed at simulating the licencing urology exam for Canadian graduates, was moved to an online format for the 2020 cohort. This exam consists of an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), and a written multiple-choice exam. The Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ), a previously validated tool for clinical encounters with three sub-domains (quality of care provided, similarity to face-to-face encounter, and perception of the interaction) was modified for the purposes of evaluating the OSCE encounter. The TSQ was sent electronically to all examiners and candidates after the exam. There were 14/16 responses from examiners (87.5%) and 24/39 responses from candidates (61.5%). Overall, the format was judged to be a good experience by 13/14 (92.9%) of examiners and 21/24 (87.5%) of candidates; however, when asked specifically if the virtual OSCE was an acceptable way to determine a candidate's competency to practice urology independently, only 8/14 (57.1%) of examiners and 15/24 (62.5%) of candidates agreed. This study demonstrates an overall good satisfaction rate among both examiners and candidates when using a teleconference format for a mock OSCE.

MP61-20 NEW TELEMEDICINE PLATFORM FOR TELEMONITORING AND TELEREHABILIZATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ROBOT-ASSISTED RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY (RARP)

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP61-20 NEW TELEMEDICINE PLATFORM FOR TELEMONITORING AND TELEREHABILIZATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ROBOT-ASSISTED RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY (RARP) Sabrina De Cillis, Daniele Amparore, Federico Piramide, Enrico Checcucci, Michele Sica, Alberto Piana, Juliette Meziere, Edoardo Cisero, Gabriele Volpi, Davide Zamengo, Giovanni Busacca, Federica Pini, Dalia Cidda, Cecilia Gatti, Angelo Giordano, Anca Georgiana Mesterca, Matteo Manfredi, Cristian Fiori, and Francesco Porpiglia Sabrina De CillisSabrina De Cillis More articles by this author , Daniele AmparoreDaniele Amparore More articles by this author , Federico PiramideFederico Piramide More articles by this author , Enrico CheccucciEnrico Checcucci More articles by this author , Michele SicaMichele Sica More articles by this author , Alberto PianaAlberto Piana More articles by this author , Juliette MeziereJuliette Meziere More articles by this author , Edoardo CiseroEdoardo Cisero More articles by this author , Gabriele VolpiGabriele Volpi More articles by this author , Davide ZamengoDavide Zamengo More articles by this author , Giovanni BusaccaGiovanni Busacca More articles by this author , Federica PiniFederica Pini More articles by this author , Dalia CiddaDalia Cidda More articles by this author , Cecilia GattiCecilia Gatti More articles by this author , Angelo GiordanoAngelo Giordano More articles by this author , Anca Georgiana MestercaAnca Georgiana Mesterca More articles by this author , Matteo ManfrediMatteo Manfredi More articles by this author , Cristian FioriCristian Fiori More articles by this author , and Francesco PorpigliaFrancesco Porpiglia More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003319.20AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: It has been demonstrated how early postoperative monitoring and rehabilitation protocols provide better recovery of continence and erectile function in patient underwent RARP, but their adoption is limited by the lack of human resources and local services. The aim of this research was to investigate patient and providers satisfaction in the use of a new telemedicine (TM) platform designed for telemonitoring and telerehabilitation of patient undergoing RARP. METHODS: We worked with software engineers to modify and implement the existing MAIA TM platform (ab medica s.p.a.). The TM system consists of an online platform that enables the acquisition, management and archiving of perioperative data and makes it possible to define a treatment plan and monitor the clinical response of rehabilitation activities. By means of an App for SmartPhone and Tablet devices, it is possible to receive notifications for medication and/or rehabilitation exercises and to upload information for monitoring clinical parameters (such as validated questionnaires or PAD tests). Patients undergoing RARP at our institution in September 2022 who had access to the Internet were included in this first part of the study. Patient satisfaction was measured using the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ; range 1-5) and a visual analogue scale (VAS; range 0-100) after 30 days of use. Technical problems and platform/app malfunctions were recorded. RESULTS: 28 patients and 3 providers were enrolled in this first phase of the study. Patients and providers mean (SD) VAS satisfaction scores were 88.7 (17.2) and 82.2 (11.2), respectively. The mean (SD) TSQ score was 4.6 (0.4), all 28 patients reported they would use this new telemedicine platform again and would recommend it to other people. 10/28 (35.7%) patients reported App technical issues, namely 6 (21.4%) notification malfunctions and 4 (14.2%) online questionnaires filling failures. All these issues were easily solved by changing the smartphone's accessibility settings. Providers reported no technical malfunctions of the online MAIA platform. CONCLUSIONS: Our new TM MAIA platform specifically designed for telemonitoring and telerehabilitation of patients undergoing RARP appears to be user-friendly and shows a high level of satisfaction among both patients and providers. The prosecution of this study will be necessary to evaluate the long-term satisfaction and clinical effectiveness of this TM platform. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e860 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Sabrina De Cillis More articles by this author Daniele Amparore More articles by this author Federico Piramide More articles by this author Enrico Checcucci More articles by this author Michele Sica More articles by this author Alberto Piana More articles by this author Juliette Meziere More articles by this author Edoardo Cisero More articles by this author Gabriele Volpi More articles by this author Davide Zamengo More articles by this author Giovanni Busacca More articles by this author Federica Pini More articles by this author Dalia Cidda More articles by this author Cecilia Gatti More articles by this author Angelo Giordano More articles by this author Anca Georgiana Mesterca More articles by this author Matteo Manfredi More articles by this author Cristian Fiori More articles by this author Francesco Porpiglia More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

TeleNEwCARe: An Italian case-control telegenetics study in patients with Hereditary NEuromuscular and CARdiac diseases

Telemedicine provides healthcare services remotely and represents a fundamental resource for the management of rare and fragile patients. Tele-health implementation is a main objective of the European Reference Networks (ERNs) mission to accelerate diagnosis for rare diseases.TeleNewCARe is a pilot case-control project which evaluates the efficacy and satisfaction of telegenetics for neuromuscular and cardiac adult patients, compared to face-to-face genetic counselling. The virtual sessions were co-hosted by a medical geneticist and a neurologist/cardiologist. Specific questionnaires (Clinical Genetics Satisfaction Questionnaire (CGS), Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) and a Satisfaction Questionnaire for medical geneticists) were used to assess the effectiveness and fulfilment of telecounselling, both for patients and health care providers.Satisfaction expressed for telegenetics did not significantly differ from face-to-face counselling. The virtually enrolled patients declared they had the possibility to relate confidentially with the specialists, to share information and to be informed in an exhaustive way about their disease. Almost all patients declared themselves willing to reuse the telecounselling in the future. The multidisciplinary care was perceived as a significant added value. No overt technical problems were reported although the need for digital skills and tools can limit patients’ compliance.Our experience supports telegenetics as a valid alternative to traditional genetic counselling in cardiac and neuromuscular patients. This innovative approach facilitates multidisciplinary care, grants a periodical follow up, without forcing patients to discomfortable travelling, and allows to maintain expert care. This result meets the ERNs needs to reduce patients’ burden to access and monitor their healthcare.

Accessible Care with High Patient Satisfaction: Telemedicine Use in Sickle Cell Disease.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid transition to telemedicine, providing a critical opportunity to study telemedicine satisfaction and usability in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 99 adult SCD patients who participated in at least one telemedicine visit between March and July 2020. Telemedicine satisfaction and usability were assessed with the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) and System Usability Scale (SUS), respectively. Preference for video visits was assessed with a 1-10 rating scale, with 10 indicating the highest preference. Measures of anxiety, depression, and patient activation were also assessed. Linear and logistic regressions were performed to evaluate for socioeconomic and psychosocial correlates of telemedicine satisfaction, usability, and preference. Results: Participants were 72% women, with a mean age of 39 years. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) TSQ was 56 (52-64) out of 70, indicating high satisfaction. The median (IQR) SUS was 72.5 (62.5-82.5) out of 100, indicating above average usability. Participants tended to prefer video visits for regular care (median [IQR] rating of 7 [5-9]) but not for management of acute pain (median [IQR] rating of 4 [2-8]). Neither satisfaction nor usability was associated with age or mental health. Telemedicine usability was positively associated with having private insurance compared with public insurance. Higher scores on both satisfaction and usability were associated with higher patient activation. Conclusions: Adults with SCD report good usability and high satisfaction with telemedicine, across multiple demographic groups. Therefore, telemedicine has valuable potential to improve access to high-quality care for these patients.

Provider and Patient Satisfaction with Telemedicine Voice Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic expanded the use of telemedicine, but there is no literature exploring both patient and provider satisfaction specifically in the provision of voice therapy. This study aims to investigate patient and provider satisfaction with virtual voice therapy, its associated factors, and any correlation between the two. MethodsCross-sectional study. Participants included 226 adults who underwent voice therapy delivered via telepractice at the USC Voice Center between April and October 2020. Patients and providers self-reported their level of satisfaction on a visual analog scale (VAS; range 0-100). Patient satisfaction was additionally measured using a previously validated Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ; range 1-5), and a binary question about their desire to choose telemedicine over in-person therapy in the future. Three speech-language pathologists rated provider satisfaction for all 226 patients. Patient satisfaction survey was completed by 55 patients. Multivariable linear regression analyses and linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the results. ResultsPatient and provider mean (SD) VAS satisfaction scores were 86.8 (18.6) and 80.6 (19.7), respectively. The mean (SD) TSQ score was 4.4 (0.6). In a multivariable model, patient satisfaction levels were significantly higher for hypofunctional than for hyperfunctional dysphonia diagnoses. Forty-four (73%) patients reported they would prefer telemedicine voice therapy over in-person appointments, which was significantly correlated with internet reliability (P = 0.04). For providers, satisfaction was significantly lower for patients whose diagnosis had changed after initiation of voice therapy (Δ = -16.0 [95% CI: -28.7 to -3.2]) and for encounters with Asian patients compared to White patients (Δ = -11.6 [95% CI: -18.9 to -4.2]). Patient and provider satisfaction scores were weakly correlated (r = 0.19). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that virtual voice therapy is not simply an alternative to in-person service, but rather an effective method useful beyond the current pandemic with proper diagnosis and technical support.

Patient perception and satisfaction with a smartphone-based teledermatology service initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary care hospital in North India.

Background Telemedicine is being increasingly used to provide healthcare to patients, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims The study aimed to study patient perception and satisfaction with a smartphone-based hybrid teledermatology service initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional telephonic survey including patients ≥18 years of age who had received a teledermatology consultation. After noting the demographic, clinical and teleconsultation details, patients were administered the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire and an additional 6-item questionnaire. Patients were also asked to give qualitative feedback and suggestions for improvement using a semi-structured interview guide. Results We interviewed 201 subjects. The most common diagnoses were pemphigus (27, 13.4%), superficial fungal infections (24, 11.8%), psoriasis (22, 10.9%) and dermatitis (21, 10.4%). The overall mean Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire score was 4.20± 0.71. One hundred seventy-one (85.1%) patients responded that they would use teledermatology services again, while 168 (83.6%) reported satisfaction with the quality of services. A majority of the patients were largely satisfied with the various components involved, though some concerns were raised about the care perceived as not at par with physical consultations, difficulty in procuring medicines, lack of confidence in photographic diagnoses and the lack of a personal touch. Patients with urticaria (P=0.020), those who were advised a change in treatment (P=0.029) and those with improvement in their skin disease (P=0.026) were more likely to be satisfied. Limitations Our study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic when patient acceptability was likely to be higher. Only follow-up patients were included in the study. Conclusion Patient satisfaction levels were generally high with teledermatology. Addressing lacunae that negatively impact patient perception and satisfaction will help in greater acceptance of teledermatology services.

Patient and physician satisfaction with telemedicine in pediatric otolaryngology

Objectives1) Evaluate the caregiver-perceived benefits and barriers of a tertiary pediatric otolaryngology telemedicine service using the validated Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ); 2) Explore the provider's perception and experience on the current telemedicine platform using a modified Physician Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). MethodsCaregivers of patients ≤18 years of age who received telemedicine services from May 4 to June 18, 2020 (duration of telemedicine use) were eligible for this study. Caregivers were contacted via telephone and given the option to answer the TSQ over the phone, receive a link via email, or decline participation. Providers were administered the modified PSQ as an anonymous, self-report online instrument on the 2 nd week of telemedicine implementation. The study authors were excluded from the PSQ. Results58/148 caregivers completed the TSQ. The TSQ questions were grouped into three categories: quality of care, similarity to in-person care, and perception of the interaction. Caregivers felt the most satisfied with the perception of the interaction (mean response 4.84, SD 0.08, p < 0.05). With the PSQ, providers had less favorable responses when compared to the TSQ across all categories (p < 0.05 for all categories) but did report satisfaction for the perception of the interaction (mean response 3.37, SD 0.85). ConclusionOur study demonstrates further evidence that the telemedicine may provide positive benefits. Caregivers were supportive of this service due to its convenience. Providers felt confident using this service, but they also felt the care provided was different from that in the clinic. Improvement in the telemedicine platforms and associated technology for physical exams may help improve the quality of telemedicine care, and similarity to in-person care.

Satisfaction and effectiveness of tele-medicine in follow-up of people with epilepsy in a resource-poor setting during COVID-19

BackgroundEffectiveness of different tele-medicine strategies varies in different medical conditions. Use of basic tele-medicine strategy like mobile health (m-health) can be an effective option in different medical conditions in a resource-poor setting. AimsTo study effectiveness and satisfaction of tele-medicine among persons with epilepsy (PWE) in a developing nation during COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsPersons with epilepsy aged 18 years or more who have attended epilepsy clinic at least once physically and were asked for regular follow-up were included. A cross-sectional telephonic survey was conducted to assess effectiveness of tele-medicine over past 1 year. Satisfaction was assessed by tele-medicine satisfaction questionnaire. Result31.9% of PWE have used tele-medicine facility in last 1 year and 58.2% were unaware of the availability of such a facility. Among those who utilized tele-medicine, 95.3% were able to explain their concerns satisfactorily during tele-consultation and change in prescription was done in 42.8%. None experienced any new adverse event. Overall, more than 95% were satisfied with tele-consultation and more than 80% wanted to use it again. ConclusionEven basic tele-medicine strategies can be a very effective and satisfactory mode of follow-up for PWE in resource-poor settings. Steps should be undertaken to make people aware of the availability of such a facility.

A Pilot Study Examining Access to and Satisfaction with Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telemedicine.

Background: Mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUDs) are common during pregnancy and the postpartum year, and have a significant impact on maternal and child health. Most women do not receive treatment for these conditions due to barriers to care. Increasing access to these services via telemedicine is one potential solution to overcoming barriers, but it is unknown if this type of service is acceptable to women. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient satisfaction with, and accessibility to, a maternal MH and SUD telemedicine service delivered to obstetric practices.Methods: The Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Questionnaire for Assessing Patient Satisfaction with Video Consultation were collected via online surveys. Responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Paired t-tests were used to compare round trip travel time and distance between participants home and specialty clinic at an academic medical center versus their local obstetrics clinic where they received telemedicine services.Results: A total of 91.42% (32/35) of women agreed to take part in the study, and 43.75% (14/32) of women were living in a rural community. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with the following: overall quality of care (mean [M] 4.66 [standard deviation, SD, 0.67]); similarity to face-to-face are (M 4.69 [SD 0.63]); and access to care (M 4.47 [SD 0.81]). Compared with in-person care at an academic medical center, women receiving care via telemedicine spent significantly less time (67.44 minutes vs. 256.31 minutes, p < 0.001) and distance (50.33 miles vs. 236.06 miles, p < 0.001) traveling round trip.Conclusions: Women receiving MH and SUD treatment via telemedicine within their obstetrician's office report high levels of satisfaction and increased access to care with this modality of treatment delivery. Telemedicine may provide one solution to removing barriers to care and mitigating the maternal and child risks associated with of untreated MH and SUDs.

Delivery of menopause care during a pandemic: an evaluation of patient satisfaction with telephone visits.

Objective:We aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with telephone appointments during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, determine visit type preference (in-person vs telephone), and predictors of those preferences.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, patient visits during the first wave of COVID-19 (March 20 to July 15, 2020) were characterized (in-person vs telephone) in a single provider's weekly menopause clinic in Toronto, Canada. Patients attending telephone appointments were asked to complete a modified Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire with 5-point Likert-scale responses. Demographic information was collected along with the patient-reported cost to attend an in-person appointment (monetary, travel time, and time away from work). Of those who experienced both visit types, preference was evaluated and bivariate analysis was performed identifying factors associated with visit type preference and included in a multivariable binary logistic regression model.Results:During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 214 women had 246 visits, attending mostly by telephone (221/246, 90%). Mean Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire composite score was 4.23 ± 0.72. Of those who attended a prepandemic in-person appointment (118/139, 85%), a minority (24/118, 20%) preferred in-person visits. Those favoring in-person were more likely to commute less than 30 minutes (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.16-12.29, P = 0.027), require less than 2 hours away from work (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.07-15.4, P = 0.04), and spend less than $10 to attend (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.1-12.26, P = 0.035).Conclusions:Menopause clinic telephone appointments had high patient satisfaction, with most preferring this visit type, although in-person visits are preferred among a minority of women.

Telemedicine Has Acceptable Usability and High Satisfaction in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic presented exceptional challenges to caring for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) and necessitated a rapid transition to telemedicine, disrupting established care systems within a population that already faces unique and challenging medical needs. Although implementation of telemedicine care assumed reliable patient access to the requisite technology, as well as adequate spaces in which to complete visits, pre-pandemic barriers to in-person visits were also considerable, and many patients lacked access to reliable transportation and childcare or could not afford to miss work to attend clinic. Given the scarcity of research on the acceptability of telemedicine care for SCD patients, the pandemic has provided a critical and necessary opportunity to study patient satisfaction when using telemedicine modalities for regular SCD care. The objective of this study was to identify which patient groups rate telemedicine high in satisfaction and usability.Methods: We surveyed 99 patients of the Sickle Cell Clinic for adults at Johns Hopkins who had any form of SCD, were age 18 or above, and participated in at least one video visit between March-July 2020. Telemedicine satisfaction was assessed by the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ), and usability was assessed by the System Usability Scale (SUS). Patients' engagement in their healthcare was assessed by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM13). We conducted linear regression with TSQ and SUS as outcomes and participant characteristics as predictors.Results: Participant characteristics (briefly, mean age 39, 95% African American, 72% female, and 81% with education level above high school) and their association with TSQ and SUS are shown in Table 1. Mean SUS was 72/100 (SD 15), slightly above the defined average usability of 68; mean TSQ was 4.1 (SD 0.5) on a 5-point Likert scale. Participants tended to prefer video visits for their regular care (mean rating of 6.6/10, SD 2.9) but not for management of acute pain (mean rating of 4.9/10, SD 3.2). Participants who preferred video visits for regular SCD care reported higher SUS (p<0.01) and TSQ (p<0.001). We examined the effects of age, sex, income, and education level on TSQ and SUS; higher SUS was associated with an education level above high school (p<0.05), but no other associations were consistently significant. Higher SUS was also associated with having private insurance compared to public insurance (p<0.01) and being employed full-time compared to being unemployed (p<0.05). Disability status was negatively associated with SUS (p<0.05) but not TSQ. PAM13 was associated with higher telemedicine approval as measured by both TSQ and SUS (p<0.01).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that telemedicine has above-average usability and high satisfaction for SCD patients, regardless of age, sex, and income. Patients who were more engaged with their healthcare were more likely to rate telemedicine satisfaction and usability high. Because SUS was negatively associated with disability, lower education level, public insurance, and unemployment, patients within these groups may need more assistance with telemedicine. To improve usability, clinics may consider incorporating support services for patients who have difficulty using telemedicine platforms. Altogether, telemedicine demonstrates promising acceptability to SCD patients across multiple demographic groups and may serve as another method in the toolkit for increasing accessibility to high quality care for these patients. [Display omitted] DisclosuresLanzkron: Pfizer: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Bluebird Bio: Consultancy; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy; GBT: Research Funding; Teva: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Shire: Research Funding; CSL Behring: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Imara: Research Funding.

Multicenter evaluation of breast cancer patients' satisfaction and experience with oncology telemedicine visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

sIntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, teleconsultation was implemented in clinical practice to limit patient exposure to COVID-19 while monitoring their treatment and follow-up. We sought to examine the satisfaction of patients with breast cancer (BC) who underwent teleconsultations during this period.MethodsEighteen centres in France and Italy invited patients with BC who had at least one teleconsultation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in a web-based survey that evaluated their satisfaction (EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire [TSQ] scores) with teleconsultation.ResultsAmong the 1299 participants eligible for this analysis, 53% of participants were undergoing standard post-treatment follow-up while 22 and 17% were currently receiving active anticancer therapy for metastatic and localised cancers, respectively. The mean satisfaction scores were 77.4 and 73.3 for the EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ scores, respectively. In all, 52.6% of participants had low/no anxiety. Multivariable analysis showed that the EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 score correlated to age, anxiety score and teleconsultation modality. The TSQ score correlated to disease status and anxiety score.ConclusionPatients with BC were satisfied with oncology teleconsultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teleconsultation may be an acceptable alternative follow-up modality in specific circumstances.

Telemedicine in Otolaryngology During COVID‐19: Patient and Physician Satisfaction

To examine patient and physician satisfaction with telemedicine in otolaryngology during COVID-19 and identify associated factors. Prospective cohort study. Tertiary care center. Patient satisfaction was rated by patients (age ≥18 years) who had encounters from May to July 2020 (n = 407). Physician satisfaction was rated by 15 otolaryngologists for specific encounters delivered from May to June 2020 (n = 1011). Patient satisfaction was measured with a Press Ganey questionnaire and a Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire. Mean Press Ganey satisfaction scores of telemedicine encounters during COVID-19 were compared with the pre-COVID-19 Press Ganey scores from in-person encounters (n = 3059) to test a noninferiority hypothesis. Physician satisfaction was measured with a Provider Satisfaction Questionnaire. The mean Press Ganey patient satisfaction score for telemedicine encounters was 94.5 (SD, 8.8), no worse than that for in-person encounters prior to COVID-19 at 93.7 (SD, 15.5; Δ = 0.8 [95% CI, -0.5 to 2.1, excluding the noninferiority margin of -1]). Encounters with videoconference (vs telephone) and patients reporting higher income were associated with higher Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire scores. Physician satisfaction scores during COVID-19 with telemedicine encounters were overall high at 83.3 (95% CI, 77.5-89.1), slightly lower when compared with the scores with in-person encounters at 88.4 (95% CI, 82.5-94.3; Δ = -5.2 [95% CI, -6.6 to -3.8]). Encounters with videoconference (vs telephone) and patients with English as a preferred language and follow-up visits were associated with higher Provider Satisfaction Questionnaire scores. Telemedicine is a feasible alternative format in otolaryngology during COVID-19 with overall high patient and physician satisfaction. Patient satisfaction with telemedicine encounters during COVID-19 was no worse than in-person encounters prior to the pandemic. Physician satisfaction with telemedicine was relatively lower in comparison with in-person encounters.

Internalizing symptoms impede adolescents’ ability to transition from in-person to online mental health services during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic

Introduction Online mental health services were previously found to be effective in many studies. However, this method was not generally used in Israel. By the end of 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic erupted, forcing mental health services to transition to online meetings to maintain the standard of care. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the attitudes of adolescent patients toward this involuntary new mode of care. Methods Forty-four adolescents (mean age 14.62 ± 2.12 years, 54.5% females) and 40 of their primary caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires that included the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire, session evaluation questionnaire, working alliance inventory, and pediatric symptom checklist. Results Both adolescents and their caregivers reported a reasonable experience with the online medium and a feeling that the meetings were overall powerful, helpful, and comfortable as demonstrated by medium to high scores on the telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire and session evaluation questionnaire questionnaires. A therapeutic alliance was generally maintained according to working alliance inventory scores. However, working alliance inventory scores were negatively correlated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms and parental stress. Discussion Our findings point to the possibility that anxious/depressed adolescents will have greater difficulties re-establishing therapeutic alliance when transitioned from in-person to online meetings. This may be due to the introduction of an “invisible” third party to the therapeutic setting—the computer. Psychologists and psychiatrists should be aware of these difficulties and respond adequately to maintain the standard of care.