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Harnik MA, Scheidegger A, Blättler L, Nemecek Z, Sauter TC, Limacher A, Reisig F, Grosse Holtforth M, Streitberger K. Acceptance, Satisfaction, and Preference With Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021-2022: Survey Among Patients With Chronic Pain. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e53154. [PMID: 38684086 PMCID: PMC11060324 DOI: 10.2196/53154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many health care providers to make changes in their treatment, with telemedicine being expanded on a large scale. An earlier study investigated the acceptance of telephone calls but did not record satisfaction with treatment or patients' preferences. This warranted a follow-up study to investigate acceptance, satisfaction, and preferences regarding telemedicine, comprising of phone consultations, among health care recipients. OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to assess the acceptance and satisfaction of telemedicine during the subsequent months of 2021-2022, after the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. Furthermore, we aimed to assess patients' preferences and whether these differed in patients who had already experienced telemedicine in the past, as well as correlations between acceptance and satisfaction, pain intensity, general condition, perception of telemedicine, and catastrophizing. Finally, we aimed to investigate whether more governmental restrictions were correlated with higher acceptance. METHODS An anonymous cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted between January 27, 2021, and February 4, 2022, enrolling patients undergoing outpatient pain therapy in a tertiary university clinic. We conducted a descriptive analysis of acceptance and satisfaction with telemedicine and investigated patients' preferences. Further, we conducted a descriptive and correlational analysis of the COVID-19 stringency index. Spearman correlation analysis and a chi-square test for categorical data were used with Cramer V statistic to assess effect sizes. RESULTS Our survey was completed by 60 patients. Telemedicine acceptance and satisfaction were high, with an average score of 7.6 (SD 3.3; on an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale from 0=not at all to 10=completely), and 8.8 (SD 1.8), respectively. Respondents generally preferred on-site consultations to telemedicine (n=35, 58% vs n=24, 40%). A subgroup analysis revealed that respondents who already had received phone consultation, showed a higher preference for telemedicine (n/N=21/42, 50% vs n/N=3/18, 17%; χ22 [N=60]=7.5, P=.02, Cramer V=0.354), as well as those who had been treated for more than 3 months (n/N=17/31, 55% vs n/N=7/29, 24%; χ22 [N=60]=6.5, P=.04, Cramer V=0.329). Acceptance of telemedicine showed a moderate positive correlation with satisfaction (rs{58}=0.41, P<.05), but there were no correlations between the COVID-19 stringency index and the other variables. CONCLUSIONS Despite high acceptance of and satisfaction with telemedicine, patients preferred on-site consultations. Preference for telemedicine was markedly higher in patients who had already received phone consultations or had been treated for longer than 3 months. This highlights the need to convey knowledge of eHealth services to patients and the value of building meaningful relationships with patients at the beginning of treatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the modality of patient care should be discussed individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Alexander Harnik
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- University Hospital Würzburg, Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Centre for Interdisciplinary Pain Medicine, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alina Scheidegger
- Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Larissa Blättler
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Zdenek Nemecek
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas C Sauter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Emergency Telemedicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Limacher
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Reisig
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Grosse Holtforth
- Psychosomatic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Streitberger
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Aldzhyan V, Tamamian C, Tabibian JH. Leveraging telemedicine in gastroenterology and hepatology: a narrative review. Mhealth 2023; 9:36. [PMID: 38023778 PMCID: PMC10643195 DOI: 10.21037/mhealth-23-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Over the years, telemedicine has played a prominent role in delivering healthcare to patients. Due to its flexibility and many benefits, telemedicine confers physicians the ability to guide and promote medical care remotely. The advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the landscape of medicine and has accelerated the usage of digital and remote healthcare systems for clinical care. Herein, we provide an overview of telemedicine, its applications in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease (CD), and liver diseases, its advantages and limitations, and its use in educating the next generation of gastroenterologists. Methods We conducted a review of scientific articles published in PubMed and Google Scholar. Articles were selected based on the search terms included in the search strategy summary. The language of the articles was restricted to English only. Key Content and Findings We report that telemedicine has the potential to streamline and improve patient care in gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology while also limiting health care expenses. Additionally, we noted the importance of tele-education for training the next generation of physicians who intend on practicing in rural settings. Furthermore, we identified barriers to telemedicine care that exacerbate health inequities and potential solutions to achieving digital health equity. Lastly, we briefly discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in remote patient monitoring. Conclusions Although telemedicine has existed for many decades, over the past decade there have been many advancements in telemedicine applications in GI and hepatology. Despite its broad benefits, further research needs to be done to alleviate barriers to telemedicine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahagn Aldzhyan
- Department of Science and Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carine Tamamian
- University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James H. Tabibian
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Adventist Health Glendale Medical Center, Glendale, CA, USA
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Conklin JP, McCauley KL, Breitenstein J, Edelman L, Gore RK, Wallace T. Implementation of telehealth and hybrid service delivery of interdisciplinary rehabilitation for military populations with traumatic brain injury. NeuroRehabilitation 2023; 53:535-545. [PMID: 38143391 DOI: 10.3233/nre-230154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the implementation of telehealth and hybrid service delivery models and provided an opportunity to study the impact of this care model in military populations with history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE To present telehealth service utilization rates across rehabilitation specialties, treatment outcome indicators, and patient satisfaction outcomes from a retrospective clinical sample. METHODS The study sample consists of 34 patients who underwent telehealth/hybrid Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP) at a major rehabilitation hospital. Retrospective chart review and clinical data extraction were performed. A historical cohort receiving in-person care was used as a comparison group. Statistical analyses included partial correlations, mixed method analysis of variance (ANOVA), and independent sample t-tests. RESULTS Medical, behavioral health, physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy providers exhibited similar rates of telehealth service delivery (35 to 41% of all sessions). No significant association was found between percent telehealth sessions and the global treatment outcome indicator. Comparison of treatment effects across cohorts revealed similar benefits of IOP. No between-group differences were noted in satisfaction ratings. CONCLUSION The comparable treatment-related gains and reports of positive patient experience support the use of a telehealth and hybrid delivery model for military service members and veterans with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lyndsey Edelman
- SHARE Military Initiative, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Russell K Gore
- SHARE Military Initiative, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tracey Wallace
- SHARE Military Initiative, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
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