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Donovan LM, Mog AC, Blanchard KN, Magid KH, Syed AS, Kelley LR, Palen BN, Parsons EC, McCall CC, Thompson W, Charlton M, Spece LJ, Kirsh S, Au DH, Sayre GG. Patient experiences with telehealth in sleep medicine: a qualitative evaluation. J Clin Sleep Med 2021; 17:1645-1651. [PMID: 33755010 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.9266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The field of sleep medicine has been an avid adopter of telehealth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this study was to assess patients' experiences receiving sleep care by telehealth. METHODS From June 2019 to May 2020, the authors recruited a sample of patients for semi-structured interviews, including patients who had 1 of 3 types of telehealth encounters in sleep medicine: in-clinic video, home-based video, and telephone. Two analysts coded transcripts using content analysis and identified themes that cut across patients and categories. RESULTS The authors conducted interviews with 35 patients and identified 5 themes. (1) Improved access to care: Patients appreciated telehealth as providing access to sleep care in a timely and convenient manner. (2) Security and privacy: Patients described how home-based telehealth afforded them greater feelings of safety and security due to avoidance of anxiety-provoking triggers (eg, crowds). Patients also noted a potential loss of privacy with telehealth. (3) Personalization of care: Patients described experiences with telehealth care that either improved or hindered their ability to communicate their needs. (4) Patient empowerment: Patients described how telehealth empowered them to manage their sleep disorders. (5) Unmet needs: Patients recognized specific areas where telehealth did not meet their needs, including the need for tangible services (eg, mask fitting). CONCLUSIONS Patients expressed both positive and negative experiences, highlighting areas where telehealth can be further adapted. As telehealth in sleep medicine continues to evolve, the authors encourage providers to consider these aspects of the patient experience. CITATION Donovan LM, Mog AC, Blanchard KN, et al. Patient experiences with telehealth in sleep medicine: a qualitative evaluation. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(8):1645-1651.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas M Donovan
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Ashley C Mog
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Kelly N Blanchard
- Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, Colorado
| | - Kate H Magid
- Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, Colorado
| | - Adnan S Syed
- Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, Colorado
| | - Lynette R Kelley
- Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, Colorado
| | - Brian N Palen
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Elizabeth C Parsons
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Catherine C McCall
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - William Thompson
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Veterans Affairs Boise Medical Center, Boise, Idaho
| | - Matthew Charlton
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Veterans Affairs Boise Medical Center, Boise, Idaho
| | - Laura J Spece
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Susan Kirsh
- Office of Veterans Access to Care, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC
| | - David H Au
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - George G Sayre
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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