1
|
Rodriguez JA, Khoong EC, Lipsitz SR, Lyles CR, Bates DW, Samal L. Telehealth Experience Among Patients With Limited English Proficiency. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2410691. [PMID: 38722633 PMCID: PMC11082683 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This cross-sectional study assesses the implication of patients’ English language skills for telehealth use and visit experience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A. Rodriguez
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elaine C. Khoong
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Stuart R. Lipsitz
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Courtney R. Lyles
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California Davis, Davis
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis
| | - David W. Bates
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lipika Samal
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tuot DS, Mukherjee A, Churape A, DeFries T, Su G, Khoong EC, Lyles C. Lessons From the Field From a Volunteer Telehealth Ambassador Program to Enhance Video Visits Among Low-Income Patients: Qualitative Improvement Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e49993. [PMID: 38619874 PMCID: PMC11058553 DOI: 10.2196/49993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of telehealth video use across the United States is uneven, with low uptake in safety-net health care delivery systems, which care for patient populations who face barriers to using digital technologies. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to increase video visit use in an urban safety-net delivery system. We piloted a telehealth ambassador program, in which volunteers offered technical support to patients with access to digital technologies to convert primary care visits already scheduled as telehealth audio-only visits to telehealth video visits. METHODS We used a descriptive approach to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of the pilot telehealth ambassador program. Feasibility was quantified by the percentage of eligible patients who answered calls from telehealth ambassadors. Program efficacy was measured in two ways: (1) the percentage of patients with access to digital technology who interacted with the navigators and were successfully prepared for a telehealth video visit, and (2) the percentage of prepared patients who completed their scheduled video visits. Program acceptability was ascertained by a structured telephone survey. RESULTS Telehealth ambassadors attempted to contact 776 eligible patients; 43.6% (338/776) were reached by phone, among whom 44.4% (150/338) were provided digital support between March and May 2021. The mean call duration was 8.8 (range 0-35) minutes. Overall, 67.3% (101/150) of patients who received support successfully completed a telehealth video visit with their provider. Among the 188 patients who were contacted but declined video visit digital support, 61% (114/188) provided a reason for their decline; 42% (48/114) did not see added value beyond a telehealth audio-only visit, 20% (23/114) had insufficient internet access, and 27% (31/114) declined learning about a new technology. The acceptability of the telehealth ambassador program was generally favorable, although some patients preferred having in-real-time technology support on the day of their telehealth video visit. CONCLUSIONS This high-touch program reached approximately one-half of eligible patients and helped two-thirds of interested patients with basic video visit capability successfully complete a video visit. Increasing the program's reach will require outreach solutions that do not rely solely on phone calls. Routinely highlighting the benefits of video visits, partnering with community-based organizations to overcome structural barriers to telehealth use, and offering in-real-time technology support will help increase the program's efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine S Tuot
- Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Innovation in Access and Quality at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francsico, CA, United States
| | - Aarya Mukherjee
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Amanda Churape
- Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Innovation in Access and Quality at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Triveni DeFries
- Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - George Su
- Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Innovation in Access and Quality at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Elaine C Khoong
- Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francsico, CA, United States
| | - Courtney Lyles
- Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francsico, CA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tierney AA, Mosqueda M, Cesena G, Frehn JL, Payán DD, Rodriguez HP. Telemedicine Implementation for Safety Net Populations: A Systematic Review. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:622-641. [PMID: 37707997 PMCID: PMC10924064 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Telemedicine systems were rapidly implemented in response to COVID-19. However, little is known about their effectiveness, acceptability, and sustainability for safety net populations. This study systematically reviewed primary care telemedicine implementation and effectiveness in safety net settings. Methods: We searched PubMed for peer-reviewed articles on telemedicine implementation from 2013 to 2021. The search was done between June and December 2021. Included articles focused on health care organizations that primarily serve low-income and/or rural populations in the United States. We screened 244 articles from an initial search of 343 articles and extracted and analyzed data from N = 45 articles. Results: Nine (20%) of 45 articles were randomized controlled trials. N = 22 reported findings for at least one marginalized group (i.e., racial/ethnic minority, 65 years+, limited English proficiency). Only n = 19 (42%) included African American/Black patients in demographics descriptions, n = 14 (31%) LatinX/Hispanic patients, n = 4 (9%) Asian patients, n = 4 (9%) patients aged 65+ years, and n = 4 (9%) patients with limited English proficiency. Results show telemedicine can provide high-quality primary care that is more accessible and affordable. Fifteen studies assessed barriers and facilitators to telemedicine implementation. Common barriers were billing/administrative workflow disruption (n = 9, 20%), broadband access/quality (n = 5, 11%), and patient preference for in-person care (n = 4, 9%). Facilitators included efficiency gains (n = 6, 13%), patient acceptance (n = 3, 7%), and enhanced access (n = 3, 7%). Conclusions: Telemedicine is an acceptable care modality to deliver primary care in safety net settings. Future studies should compare telemedicine and in-person care quality and test strategies to improve telemedicine implementation in safety net settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A. Tierney
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Mariana Mosqueda
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Gabriel Cesena
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Frehn
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Denise D. Payán
- Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Hector P. Rodriguez
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harrison R, Iqbal MP, Chitkara U, Adams C, Chauhan A, Mitchell R, Manias E, Alston M, Hadley AM. Approaches for enhancing patient-reported experience measurement with ethnically diverse communities: a rapid evidence synthesis. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:26. [PMID: 38342909 PMCID: PMC10860321 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02107-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are used to drive and evaluate unit and organisational-level healthcare improvement, but also at a population level, these measures can be key indicators of healthcare quality. Current evidence indicates that ethnically diverse communities frequently experience poorer care quality and outcomes, with PREMs data required from this population to direct service improvement efforts. This review synthesises evidence of the methods and approaches used to promote participation in PREMs among ethnically diverse populations. METHODS A rapid evidence appraisal (REA) methodology was utilised to identify the disparate literature on this topic. A search strategy was developed and applied to three major electronic databases in July 2022 (Medline; PsycINFO and CINAHL), in addition to websites of health agencies in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries via grey literature searches. A narrative evidence synthesis was undertaken to address the review question. RESULTS The review resulted in 97 included studies, comprised 86 articles from electronic database searches and 11 articles from the grey literature. Data extraction and synthesis identified five strategies used in PREM instruments and processes to enhance participation among ethnically diverse communities. Strategies applied sought to better inform communities about PREMs, to create accessible PREMs instruments, to support PREMs completion and to include culturally relevant topics. Several methods were used, predominantly drawing upon bicultural workers, translation, and community outreach to access and support communities at one or more stages of design or administration of PREMs. Limited evidence was available of the effectiveness of the identified methods and strategies. PREMs topics of trust, cultural responsiveness, care navigation and coordination were identified as pertinent to and frequently explored with this population. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide a basis for a maturity model that may guide change to increase participation of ethnically diverse communities in PREMs. In the short-medium term, health systems and services must be able to recognise and respond to cultural and linguistic diversity in the population when applying existing PREMs. In the longer-term, by working in collaboration with ethnically diverse communities, systems and services may co-create adapted or novel PREMs that tackle the factors that currently inhibit uptake and completion among ethnically diverse communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reema Harrison
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences- Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Maha Pervaz Iqbal
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences- Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Upma Chitkara
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences- Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Corey Adams
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences- Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Ashfaq Chauhan
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences- Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Rebecca Mitchell
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Manias
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Megan Alston
- Elevating the Human Experience Program, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Anne Marie Hadley
- Elevating the Human Experience Program, NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney, NSW, 2065, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang CP, Mkuu R, Andreadis K, Muellers KA, Ancker JS, Horowitz C, Kaushal R, Lin JJ. Examining and Addressing Telemedicine Disparities Through the Lens of the Social Determinants of Health: A Qualitative Study of Patient and Provider During the COVID-19 Pandemic. AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2024; 2023:1287-1296. [PMID: 38222380 PMCID: PMC10785927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Accelerated use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic enabled uninterrupted healthcare delivery while unmasking care disparities for several vulnerable communities. The social determinants of health (SDOH) serve as a critical model for understanding how the circumstances in which people are born, work, and live impact health outcomes. We performed semi-structured interviews to understand patients and providers' experiences with telemedicine encounters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a deductive approach, we applied the SDOH to determine telemedicine's role and impact within this framework. Overall, patient and provider interviews supported the use of existing SDOH domains to describe disparities in Internet access and telemedicine use, rather than reframing technology as a sixth SDOH. In order to mitigate the digital divide, we identify and propose solutions that address SDOH-related barriers that shape the use of health information technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katerina Andreadis
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, NY
| | - Kimberly A Muellers
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY
- Pace University, New York City, NY
| | | | - Carol Horowitz
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY
| | | | - Jenny J Lin
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tierney HR, Ma Y, Bacchetti P, Adimora AA, Chandran A, Kempf MC, Collins LF, DeHovitz J, DiClemente RJ, French AL, Jones DL, Sharma A, Spence AB, Hahn JA, Price JC, Tien PC. Pivoting from in-person to phone survey assessment of alcohol and substance use: effects on representativeness in a United States prospective cohort of women living with and without HIV. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2024; 50:54-63. [PMID: 37956200 PMCID: PMC10939835 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2267745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Many clinical and population-based research studies pivoted from in-person assessments to phone-based surveys due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of these transitions on survey response remains understudied, especially for people living with HIV. Given that there are gender-specific trends in alcohol and substance use, it is particularly important to capture these data for women.Objective: Identify factors associated with responding to an alcohol and substance use phone survey administered during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, a multicenter US prospective cohort of women living with and without HIV.Methods: We used multivariable logistic regression to assess for associations of pre-pandemic (April-September 2019) sociodemographic factors, HIV status, housing status, depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and substance use with response to an early-pandemic (August-September 2020) phone survey.Results: Of 1,847 women who attended an in-person visit in 2019, 78% responded to a phone survey during the pandemic. The odds of responding were lower for women of Hispanic ethnicity (aOR 0.47 95% CI 0.33-0.66, ref=Black/African American) and those who reported substance use (aOR 0.63 95% CI 0.41-0.98). By contrast, the odds were higher for White women (aOR 1.64 95% CI 1.02-2.70, ref=Black/African American) and those with stable housing (aOR 1.74 95% CI 1.24-2.43).Conclusions: Pivoting from an in-person to phone-administered alcohol and substance use survey may lead to underrepresentation of key subpopulations of women who are often neglected in substance use and HIV research. As remote survey methods become more common, investigators need to ensure that the study population is representative of the target population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Tierney
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yifei Ma
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter Bacchetti
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Adaora A. Adimora
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Aruna Chandran
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mirjam-Colette Kempf
- Schools of Nursing, Medicine and Public Health Birmingham, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lauren F. Collins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jack DeHovitz
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Ralph J. DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, NYU School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Audrey L. French
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Deborah L. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda B. Spence
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Judith A. Hahn
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer C. Price
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Phyllis C. Tien
- Department of Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sharma AE, Lisker S, Fields JD, Aulakh V, Figoni K, Jones ME, Arora NB, Sarkar U, Lyles CR. Language-Specific Challenges and Solutions for Equitable Telemedicine Implementation in the Primary Care Safety Net During COVID-19. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3123-3133. [PMID: 37653210 PMCID: PMC10651814 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08304-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Telemedicine care dramatically expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. We characterized facilitators and barriers to telemedicine implementation among safety-net primary care clinics serving patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). METHODS We collected data on telemedicine volume and patient demographics among safety-net clinics participating in a telemedicine learning collaborative. Data on various metrics were reported to the collaborative from February 2019 through August 2021. We conducted semi-structured interviews with clinical and quality leaders, purposively sampling clinics serving high proportions of patients with LEP. We analyzed interviews with a mixed inductive-deductive approach applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS By September 2020, the 23 sites served 121,589 unique patients with in-person and 120,338 with telephone visits; 47% of these patients had LEP. Of 10,897 unique patients served by video visits, 38% had LEP. As a proportion of total visits, telemedicine (telephone and video) visits increased from 0-17% in October 2019-March 2020 to 10-98% in March-August 2020. We conducted 14 interviews at 11 sites. Themes included (1) existing telemedicine platforms and interpreter services were not optimized to support patients with LEP; (2) clinics invested significant labor iterating workflows; (3) sites with technological infrastructure and language-concordant staff were best suited to serve patients; (4) patients speaking less-represented languages or experiencing intersecting literacy barriers were underserved with telemedicine. Interviewees recommended innovations in telemedicine platforms and community-based access. CONCLUSIONS Safety-net sites relied on existing resources to accommodate patients with LEP, but struggled providing access for the most marginalized. Proactive, data-driven strategies to address patient and community barriers as well as optimize clinical workflows with high-quality, certified medical interpreters are needed to ensure equitable access.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anjana E Sharma
- Center for Excellence in Primary Care, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave., San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Sarah Lisker
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jessica D Fields
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Maggie E Jones
- Center for Community Health and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Natasha B Arora
- Center for Community Health and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Urmimala Sarkar
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Courtney R Lyles
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research, UC Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Atkinson J, Hastie R, Walker S, Lindquist A, Tong S. Telehealth in antenatal care: recent insights and advances. BMC Med 2023; 21:332. [PMID: 37649028 PMCID: PMC10470141 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, antenatal care in high-resource settings has involved 12-14 face-to-face visits across pregnancy. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many care providers to rapidly embrace telehealth to reduce face-to-face visits. Here we review recent advances in telehealth used to provide antenatal care. MAIN BODY We conducted a narrative review examining the impact of telehealth on obstetric care. Two broad types of telehealth are used in antenatal care. The first is real-time telehealth, where consultations are done virtually instead of face-to-face. The second is remote monitoring, where in-clinic physical examinations are replaced with at-home alternatives. These can include blood pressure monitoring, fetal heart rate monitoring, and emerging technologies such as tele-ultrasound. Large cohort studies conducted during the pandemic era have shown that telehealth appears not to have increased adverse clinical outcomes for mothers or babies. However, further studies may be required to confidently conclude rare outcomes are unchanged, such as maternal mortality, serious morbidity, or stillbirth. Health economic studies suggest telehealth has the potential to reduce the financial cost of care provision. Telehealth in antenatal care seems to be acceptable to both pregnant women and healthcare providers. CONCLUSION Adoption of telehealth technologies may improve the antenatal care experience for women and reduce healthcare expenditure without adversely impacting health outcomes for the mother or baby. More studies are warranted to confirm telehealth does not alter the risk of rare outcomes such as maternal or neonatal mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Atkinson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Roxanne Hastie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Susan Walker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthea Lindquist
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen A, Ayub MH, Mishuris RG, Rodriguez JA, Gwynn K, Lo MC, Noronha C, Henry TL, Jones D, Lee WW, Varma M, Cuevas E, Onumah C, Gupta R, Goodson J, Lu AD, Syed Q, Suen LW, Heiman E, Salhi BA, Khoong EC, Schmidt S. Telehealth Policy, Practice, and Education: a Position Statement of the Society of General Internal Medicine. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:2613-2620. [PMID: 37095331 PMCID: PMC10124932 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Telehealth services, specifically telemedicine audio-video and audio-only patient encounters, expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic through temporary waivers and flexibilities tied to the public health emergency. Early studies demonstrate significant potential to advance the quintuple aim (patient experience, health outcomes, cost, clinician well-being, and equity). Supported well, telemedicine can particularly improve patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and equity. Implemented poorly, telemedicine can facilitate unsafe care, worsen disparities, and waste resources. Without further action from lawmakers and agencies, payment will end for many telemedicine services currently used by millions of Americans at the end of 2024. Policymakers, health systems, clinicians, and educators must decide how to support, implement, and sustain telemedicine, and long-term studies and clinical practice guidelines are emerging to provide direction. In this position statement, we use clinical vignettes to review relevant literature and highlight where key actions are needed. These include areas where telemedicine must be expanded (e.g., to support chronic disease management) and where guidelines are needed (e.g., to prevent inequitable offering of telemedicine services and prevent unsafe or low-value care). We provide policy, clinical practice, and education recommendations for telemedicine on behalf of the Society of General Internal Medicine. Policy recommendations include ending geographic and site restrictions, expanding the definition of telemedicine to include audio-only services, establishing appropriate telemedicine service codes, and expanding broadband access to all Americans. Clinical practice recommendations include ensuring appropriate telemedicine use (for limited acute care situations or in conjunction with in-person services to extend longitudinal care relationships), that the choice of modality be done through patient-clinician shared decision-making, and that health systems design telemedicine services through community partnerships to ensure equitable implementation. Education recommendations include developing telemedicine-specific educational strategies for trainees that align with accreditation body competencies and providing educators with protected time and faculty development resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Chen
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific St, Box 356421, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Mariam H Ayub
- Division of General Internal Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rebecca G Mishuris
- Digital, Mass General Brigham, Somerville, MA, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jorge A Rodriguez
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kendrick Gwynn
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Margaret C Lo
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Craig Noronha
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tracey L Henry
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Danielle Jones
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wei Wei Lee
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Malvika Varma
- Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- New England VA GRECC, Boston VA Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Cuevas
- Division of Academic Internal Medicine, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chavon Onumah
- Division or General Internal Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Reena Gupta
- Division of General Internal Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Goodson
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy D Lu
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Quratulain Syed
- Birmingham-Atlanta VA GRECC, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leslie W Suen
- Division of General Internal Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erica Heiman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Bisan A Salhi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Reading, PA, USA
| | - Elaine C Khoong
- Division of General Internal Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stacie Schmidt
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chaiyachati KH, Shea JA, Ward M, Nelson MN, Ghosh M, Reilly J, Kelly S, Chisholm DL, Barbati Z, Hemmons JE, Abdel-Rahman D, Ebert JP, Xiong RA, Snider CK, Lee KC, Friedman AB, Meisel ZF, Kilaru AS, Asch DA, Delgado MK, Morgan AU. Patient and clinician perspectives of a remote monitoring program for COVID-19 and lessons for future programs. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:698. [PMID: 37370059 PMCID: PMC10304230 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09684-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID Watch is a remote patient monitoring program implemented during the pandemic to support home dwelling patients with COVID-19. The program conferred a large survival advantage. We conducted semi-structured interviews of 85 patients and clinicians using COVID Watch to understand how to design such programs even better. Patients and clinicians found COVID Watch to be comforting and beneficial, but both groups desired more clarity about the purpose and timing of enrollment and alternatives to text-messages to adapt to patients' preferences as these may have limited engagement and enrollment among marginalized patient populations. Because inclusiveness and equity are important elements of programmatic success, future programs will need flexible and multi-channel human-to-human communication pathways for complex clinical interactions or for patients who do not desire tech-first approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krisda H Chaiyachati
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Judy A Shea
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michaela Ward
- Mixed Methods Research Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria N Nelson
- Mixed Methods Research Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Medha Ghosh
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julianne Reilly
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sheila Kelly
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deena L Chisholm
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoe Barbati
- Mixed Methods Research Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jessica E Hemmons
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dina Abdel-Rahman
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Ebert
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruiying A Xiong
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher K Snider
- Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathleen C Lee
- Comcast NBCUniversal in Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Ari B Friedman
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zachary F Meisel
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Injury Science Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Austin S Kilaru
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David A Asch
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Kit Delgado
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Emergency Care Policy and Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anna U Morgan
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
De B, Maroongroge S, Smith GL. Letter to the editor regarding "disparities in telemedicine during COVID-19". Cancer Med 2023; 12:1556-1557. [PMID: 35837958 PMCID: PMC9350141 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian De
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Sean Maroongroge
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Grace L. Smith
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Health Services ResearchThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Berry CA, Kwok L, Massar R, Chang JE, Lindenfeld Z, Shelley DR, Albert SL. Patients' Perspectives on the Shift to Telemedicine in Primary and Behavioral Health Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:4248-56. [PMID: 36167954 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07827-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies specifically focused on patients' perspectives on telemedicine visits in primary and behavioral health care are fairly limited and have often focused on highly selected populations or used overall satisfaction surveys. OBJECTIVE To examine patient perspectives on the shift to telemedicine, the remote delivery of health care via the use of electronic information and communications technology, in primary and behavioral health care in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) during COVID-19. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews were conducted using video conference with patients and caregivers between October and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS Providers from 6 FQHCs nominated participants. Eighteen patients and caregivers were interviewed: 6 patients with only primary care visits; 5 with only behavioral health visits; 3 with both primary care and behavioral health visits; and 4 caregivers of children with pediatric visits. APPROACH Using a protocol-driven, rapid qualitative methodology, we analyzed the interview data and assessed the quality of care, benefits and challenges of telemedicine, and use of telemedicine post-pandemic. KEY RESULTS Respondents broadly supported the option of home-based synchronous telemedicine visits in primary and behavioral health care. Nearly all respondents appreciated remote visits, largely because such visits provided a safe option during the pandemic. Patients were generally satisfied with telemedicine and believed the quality of visits to be similar to in-person visits, especially when delivered by a provider with whom they had established rapport. Although most respondents planned to return to mostly in-person visits when considered safe to do so, they remained supportive of the continued option for remote visits as remote care addresses some of the typical barriers faced by low-income patients. CONCLUSIONS Addressing digital literacy challenges, enhancing remote visit privacy, and improving practice workflows will help ensure equitable access to all patients as we move to a new post-COVID-19 "normal" marked by increased reliance on telemedicine and technology.
Collapse
|
13
|
Chaiyachati K, Shea J, Ward M, Nelson M, Ghosh M, Reilly J, Kelly S, Chisholm D, Barbati Z, Hemmons J, Abdel-Rahman D, Ebert J, Xiong R, Snider C, Lee K, Friedman A, Meisel Z, Kilaru A, Asch D, Delgado MK, Morgan A. Patient and clinician perspectives of a remote monitoring program for COVID-19 and lessons for future programs. Res Sq 2022:rs.3.rs-2234197. [PMID: 36451877 PMCID: PMC9709795 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2234197/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
COVID Watch is a remote patient monitoring program implemented during the pandemic to support home dwelling patients with COVID-19. The program conferred a large survival advantage. We conducted semi-structured interviews of 85 patients and clinicians using COVID Watch to understand how to design such programs even better. Patients and clinicians found COVID Watch to be comforting and beneficial, but both groups desired more clarity about the purpose and timing of enrollment and alternatives to text-messages to adapt to patients’ preferences as these may have limited engagement and enrollment among marginalized patient populations. Because inclusiveness and equity are important elements of programmatic success, future programs will need flexible and multi-channel human-to-human communication pathways for complex clinical interactions or patients who do not desire tech-first approaches.
Collapse
|
14
|
Ganapathy K, Haranath SP, Baez AA, Scott BK. Telemedicine to Expand Access to Critical Care Around the World. Crit Care Clin 2022; 38:809-26. [PMID: 36162912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This multiauthored communication gives a state-of-the-art global perspective on the increasing adoption of tele-critical care. Exponentially increasing sophistication in the deployment of Computers, Information, and Communication Technology has ensured extending the reach of limited intensivists virtually and reaching the unreached. Natural disasters, COVID-19 pandemic, and wars have made tele-intensive care a reality. Concerns and regulatory issues are being sorted out, cross-border cost-effective tele-critical care is steadily increasing Components to set up a tele-intensive care unit, and overcoming barriers is discussed. Importance of developing best practice guidelines and retraining is emphasized.
Collapse
|
15
|
Mulvaney-Day N, Dean D, Miller K, Camacho-Cook J. Trends in Use of Telehealth for Behavioral Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Payers and Employers. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:1237-1241. [PMID: 36003014 PMCID: PMC9412131 DOI: 10.1177/08901171221112488e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - David Dean
- National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Kay Miller
- IBM Watson Health, IBM, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Henke RM. Knowing Well, Being Well: well-being born of understanding: Supporting Workforce Mental Health During the Pandemic. Am J Health Promot 2022; 36:1213-1244. [PMID: 36003017 PMCID: PMC9523433 DOI: 10.1177/08901171221112488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
17
|
Kim ME, Sund LT, Morton M, Kim J, Choi JS, Castro ME. Provider and Patient Satisfaction with Telemedicine Voice Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Voice 2022:S0892-1997(22)00211-9. [PMID: 36038478 PMCID: PMC9289043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The 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. METHODS Cross-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. RESULTS Patient 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). CONCLUSIONS Our 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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California Caruso, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Lauren Timmons Sund
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California Caruso, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mariah Morton
- Auburn University School of Kinesiology, Auburn, Albama
| | - James Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California Caruso, Los Angeles, California
| | - Janet S Choi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - M Eugenia Castro
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California Caruso, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|