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Vinadé Chagas ME, Cristina Jacovas V, de Campos Moreira T, Rodrigues Moleda Constant HM, Fernanda Rohden S, Stiehl Alves S, Santini F, Dall'Agnol S, König Klever E, Cezar Cabral F, da Silva Terres M. Are We Adequately Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Telemedicine? A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1522-1538. [PMID: 38436274 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0530] [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: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Telemedicine has gained significant attention as an effective means of providing health care remotely, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient satisfaction is a critical aspect of implementing telemedicine, but we have no comprehensive understanding of satisfaction levels and the associated factors. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess patient satisfaction related to telemedicine consultations and to identify key factors influencing satisfaction levels. Results: The search yielded a total of 147 cross-sectional studies, of which 107 met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Overall, patient satisfaction with teleconsultations was found to be high, with satisfaction levels ranging from 38 to 100 on a scale of 0 to 100. Only a small percentage (2.72%) of the studies reported satisfaction levels below 75%. Surprisingly, most studies used nonvalidated satisfaction questionnaires, which highlight the need for the development of standardized measurement instruments. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that patients generally exhibit high levels of satisfaction with telemedicine consultations. The use of nonvalidated satisfaction questionnaires in many studies, however, suggests a need for more standardized assessment tools. Factors such as the time interval between the consultation and the assessment were found to influence satisfaction levels. Understanding these factors can help health care providers improve telemedicine services and patient-provider relationships and optimize health care delivery in the context of telemedicine. Further research is warranted to develop validated satisfaction measurement instruments and explore any additional factors that influence patient satisfaction with telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eulália Vinadé Chagas
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Suelen Stiehl Alves
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fernando Santini
- Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos), Business School, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Sara Dall'Agnol
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Emanuele König Klever
- Hospital Moinhos de Vento, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Mellina da Silva Terres
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Mujtaba M, Kotwani S, Qayyum D, Saghir T, Bhatti KI, Khalid MR, Khanzada MF, Aman S, Shaikh KA, Buraro S, Karim M. Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular clinics: Are we ready for telemedicine? SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231153755. [PMID: 36778198 PMCID: PMC9912032 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231153755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The need for telemedicine was felt more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted health care worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the difficulties faced by patients in visiting the cardiac outpatient department during COVID-19, along with assessing the awareness and acceptability of telemedicine. Methods In this cross-sectional study, selected patients presenting to outpatient department of a tertiary care cardiac hospital were interviewed regarding the difficulties faced by patients in visiting the outpatient department during COVID-19 and their awareness and acceptability of telemedicine using a self-designed structured questionnaire. Results Of the 403 patients, 58.3% were male, the mean age was 53.04 ± 11.73 years, and most (77.7%) were urban residents. Ischemic heart disease was present in 69.5%, followed by hypertension (38.7%) and heart failure (29.3%). A total of 26.6% required emergency room visits. Limited appointments (55.6%) was the most common problem faced by patients during COVID-19, followed by financial issues (17.1%), fear of acquiring infection (13.4%), and limited mobility due to lockdown (22.6%). Only 12.2% were aware of telemedicine, 4.5% had previously used it, and 41.2% were willing to opt for telemedicine in the future. No internet access (39.2%) was the key barrier to the usage of telemedicine, followed by a lack of free medicine (39%) and a lack of a smart device (31.5%). Conclusion Limited appointments due to COVID-19 restrictions has made it difficult for patients to visit the clinics, which has led to increased emergency room visits. Telemedicine awareness was found to be limited; however, many patients were willing to adopt it provided their limitations could be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustajab Mujtaba
- National Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan,Mustajab Mujtaba, National Institute of
Cardiovascular Diseases, A203, Mehran Square, Clifton block 8, Karachi 75530,
Pakistan.
| | - Sapna Kotwani
- National Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Danish Qayyum
- National Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Tahir Saghir
- National Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | - Saba Aman
- Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital
Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Musa Karim
- National Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
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Ainger E, McCANCE AC, Burford C, Black R, Fernandes R. Patient satisfaction with general surgery telephone consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single surgeon experience. Minerva Surg 2023; 78:30-36. [PMID: 35575672 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5691.22.09593-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development and use of telemedicine in surgical practice. Here we set out to understand patient satisfaction with the use of telephone consultation in the general surgical clinic and preference over face-to-face consultation. METHODS A prospective cohort study was carried out for consecutive patients seen in a general surgery telephone clinic by a single surgeon in a district general hospital in the UK from 1st September 2021 to 10th March 2022. Demographic data was collected from electronic patient records. At the end of the consultation patients were asked to: 1) score their satisfaction with the telephone consultation on a 5-point Likert Scale; and 2) whether they preferred telephone consultations to face-to-face appointments. It was noted if a patient required a further face-to-face consultation in addition to the telephone consultation. RESULTS The study included 245 patients who were reviewed by telephone consultation. Most patients (59.6%; N.=146) gave the telephone consultation the highest satisfaction score with a further 31% (N.=76) scoring it as a 4 out of 5. Only 2.8% of patients said they would have preferred a face-to-face consultation and gave a median satisfaction score of 2 (IQR 2-3) compared to 5 (IQR 4-5) in those who preferred telephone consultations (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction regardless of patient age or gender. Lower rates of satisfaction are associated with the need for further face-to-face follow-up. If telemedicine is to remain a permanent part of surgical practice, disease specific protocols for its use are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Ainger
- Department of General Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, UK
| | - Angus C McCANCE
- Department of General Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, UK -
| | | | - Rebecca Black
- Department of General Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, UK
| | - Roland Fernandes
- Department of General Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, UK
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Jabeen R, Rabbani U. Telehealth as a public health approach to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan: A narrative review. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE ACCESS 2023; 7:27550834231181299. [PMID: 37351086 PMCID: PMC10280114 DOI: 10.1177/27550834231181299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Technology is instrumental in delivering health services, especially telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article aimed to explore the role of telehealth as a public health approach to support responses to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. We developed this article by mapping existing telehealth initiatives developed and implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. The initiatives were identified searching online portals such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and websites of various governmental and non-governmental agencies. The services are categorized into teleconsultation and follow-ups, online vaccine registration, information dissemination, high-risk subset tracking, virtual Health Care Worker (HCW) and medical student training, and tele-psychological counseling. The teleconsultation category offers online registration and follow-ups. Information dissemination services include federal helpline, SMS alerts, and social media campaigns. The high-risk subset tracking services include app-based COVID-19 checks and online surveys. Virtual HCW and medical student training services include tele-ICU support, COVID-19 critical care courses, and COVID management courses. The tele-psychological counseling services offer helplines for emotional support, proactive counseling for COVID-19 patients, and mental health support and psychiatry services. Telehealth interventions provided novel solutions amid health and social crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care systems need to expand telehealth services and ensure that health care organizations deliver effective and safe medical care. However, future research should focus on assessing the impact of telehealth on population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawshan Jabeen
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Unaib Rabbani
- Family Medicine Academy, Qassim Health Cluster, Buraydah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Thirunavukkarasu A, Alotaibi NH, Al-Hazmi AH, Alenzi MJ, Alshaalan ZM, Alruwaili MG, Alruwaili TAM, Alanazi H, Alosaimi TH. Patients' Perceptions and Satisfaction with the Outpatient Telemedicine Clinics during COVID-19 Era in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9121739. [PMID: 34946465 PMCID: PMC8701957 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9121739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful implementation of virtual healthcare depends immensely on patients’ perceptions and satisfaction. This cross-sectional study assessed patients’ perceptions of, and factors associated with, poor and average satisfaction with the outpatient telemedicine clinics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 720 patients who attended outpatient telemedicine clinics from different regions of the KSA. Of the sample studied, 54.7% of the participants had high satisfaction and the most common disadvantage perceived by patients was technical issues (53.1%), followed by fewer personal interactions (30.4%). Around 75% of the participants desired to use telemedicine services even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age group more than 40 years (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.04–2.44, p = 0.031), education less than university level (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.07–2.15, p = 0.025), and first-time participants (OR = 3.28; 95% CI = 2.32–4.65, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poor and average satisfaction ratings. The concerned authorities must make targeted action plans to circumvent the disadvantages perceived by patients accessing telemedicine. Furthermore, a multicenter, exploratory study that compares the virtual clinic with other telemedicine services in the KSA is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashokkumar Thirunavukkarasu
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-599-739-619
| | | | - Ahmad Homoud Al-Hazmi
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed Jayed Alenzi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ziad Mansour Alshaalan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia;
| | | | | | - Hassan Alanazi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Turki Hanas Alosaimi
- Department of Hospital Management Services, Huraymala General Hospital, Riyadh 11911, Saudi Arabia;
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Omari AM, Antonacci CL, Zaifman J, Johal A, Conway J, Mahmood Y, Klein GR, Alberta FG, Koerner JD. Patient Satisfaction with Orthopedic Telemedicine Health Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Telemed J E Health 2021; 28:806-814. [PMID: 34724833 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Telemedicine usage in orthopedic surgery has seen a dramatic increase as a result of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine patient perceptions with telemedicine at a large orthopedic practice. Materials and Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to all patients who received a telemedicine health visit at our institution for musculoskeletal complaints from March 17 to June 1, 2020. Responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree, 1-5) and analyzed by average score and percent reaching top box. Results: A majority of patients (76.5%) were satisfied with their visit, and only 19.2% did not want telemedicine as a future option. Patients who presented for follow-up visits (4.11 vs. 3.94, p = 0.0053; 48% vs. 41%, p = 0.02) and utilized video (4.21 vs. 3.88, p < 0.001; 51% vs. 39%, p < 0.001) were more satisfied. Average satisfaction between older (>65 years) and younger patients was similar (4.06 vs. 4.06, p = 0.97), however, younger patients were more likely to reach top box (42% vs. 51%, p < 0.001). Confidence that the physician came to the correct diagnosis (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) and receiving the same information and care as an in-office visit (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) demonstrated the strongest correlation with satisfaction and desire for future telemedicine visits, respectively. Interestingly, 31.1% of patients would have sought treatment elsewhere had telemedicine not been an option. Conclusions: Overall, satisfaction rates are high for orthopedic patients undergoing telemedicine visits. Patients are more confident in telemedicine when presenting for a follow-up visit and with the use of video.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M Omari
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher L Antonacci
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jay Zaifman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Anmol Johal
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jolie Conway
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Yusuf Mahmood
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gregg R Klein
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
| | - Frank G Alberta
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
| | - John D Koerner
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
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The Research on Patient Satisfaction with Remote Healthcare Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105338. [PMID: 34067818 PMCID: PMC8156025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The issue of research on patient satisfaction with healthcare services took on a completely new dimension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the developing telehealth services. This results from the fact that during the pandemic, remote healthcare was often the only possible form of care provision to the patient. The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially accelerated the implementation of remote healthcare in healthcare institutions and made it an essential tool for providing healthcare services. The objective of the literature review was to study the research on patient satisfaction with remote healthcare services prior to and during the pandemic. The study featured a literature review of electronic databases, such as: Medline, ProQuest, PubMED, Ebsco, Google Scholar, WoS. The identified empirical papers were classified in two groups concerning the research on patient satisfaction prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were divided and descriptively synthesised. Certain limitations to the methodical quality of the research were demonstrated as result of the conducted analyses. It was also ascertained that researchers lack clarity on the method of defining and measuring satisfaction prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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