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Chen N, Wang JH, Chiu CJ. Satisfaction with Teleophthalmology Services: Insights from Remote Areas of Taiwan. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:818. [PMID: 38667580 PMCID: PMC11050710 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12080818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, teleophthalmology provided access to eye care for rural populations. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of and satisfaction with an integrated real-time videoconferencing module. This project incorporated ophthalmic instruments and telecommunication devices and provided on-site consultations via videoconferencing. Both patients and healthcare providers completed satisfaction questionnaires. From May 2020 to May 2021, this project provided eye care services to 395 patients (aged 6-90 years). The most frequent eye condition was chronic conjunctivitis (n = 197), followed by senile cataract (n = 163), dry eye (n = 103), and refractive error (n = 95). Among them, 40 (10.1%) patients were referred to secondary or tertiary hospitals for further evaluation or treatment. In total, 181 recruited respondents provided good satisfaction scores in all dimensions, including quality of medical care (4.50 of 5.00), financial aspects of care (4.48), supportive attitude toward the project (4.47), quality of service (4.40), and quality of telecommunication (4.40). Women had a substantially more supportive attitude toward the project, and 25 healthcare providers provided low ratings in areas representing the quality of telecommunication (4.04) and user-friendliness of the instrument (4.00). This teleophthalmology system provided efficient and satisfactory eye care to participants in remote communities. However, better internet access and training in instrument use can reduce obstacles to the future implementation of the project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Jen-Hung Wang
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
| | - Cheng-Jen Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan;
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
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Barth SK, Saulters KJ, Balba GP, Monroe AK, Horberg MA, Kumar PN, Greenberg AE, Castel AD. Mixed Methods Analysis of Telehealth Experience, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care During the COVID Pandemic Among Persons with HIV in Washington, DC. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:912-923. [PMID: 37872460 PMCID: PMC10923106 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04198-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to describe telehealth experiences and quality of HIV care provided to an urban population of people with HIV (PWH) in Washington, DC. We used self-reported survey data from a cohort of PWH in the DC Cohort longitudinal study linked to medical records (October 26, 2020-December 31, 2021). Analyses followed a mixed-methods approach, including prevalence estimates and multivariable logistic regression of telehealth use by demographic and HIV characteristics. We measured primary motivation, modes of engagement, and telehealth satisfaction. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions were coded using collaborative coding. A framework developed by the National Quality Forum (NQF) was applied to the results. Among 978 participants, 69% reported using telehealth for HIV care during the pandemic. High school graduates were less likely to use telehealth compared to those with college education (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48, 0.98). PWH with > 1 co-morbid condition were more likely to use telehealth compared to those without (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02, 1.95). The majority reported satisfaction with telehealth (81%). Qualitative analysis of telehealth satisfaction found that most responses were related to access to care and technology, effectiveness, and patient experience. PWH using telehealth during the pandemic were satisfied with their experience though use differed demographically. Telehealth was used effectively to overcome barriers to care engagement, including transportation, costs, and time. As we transition away from the emergency pandemic responses, it will be important to determine how this technology can be used in the future in an equitable manner to further strengthen HIV care engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon K Barth
- Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Kacie J Saulters
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Capital Region Health, Largo, MD, USA
| | - Gayle P Balba
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anne K Monroe
- Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Michael A Horberg
- Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Princy N Kumar
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alan E Greenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Amanda D Castel
- Department of Epidemiology, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
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Bouabida K, Lebouché B, Pomey MP. The paradoxes of telehealth platforms: what did we learn from the use of telehealth platforms? Front Digit Health 2024; 6:1346039. [PMID: 38414713 PMCID: PMC10896980 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1346039] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This article is an overview and reflection of the findings of an evaluative study conducted on a program called "Techno-Covid Partnership" (TCP) implemented in April 2020 at the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) in Montreal, Canada. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CHUM decided in April 2020 to implement telehealth, virtual care, and telemonitoring platforms and technologies to maintain access to care and reduce the risks of contamination and spread of COVID-19 as well as to protect users of health services and health professionals. Three technological platforms for telehealth and remote care and monitoring have been developed, implemented, and evaluated in real-time within the framework of the TCP program. A cross-sectional study was carried out in which a questionnaire was used and administered to users of telehealth platforms including patients and healthcare professionals. The methods and results of the study have been published previously published. In the completion of the two articles published in this context, in this paper, we briefly recall the context of the study and the method performed. The main focus of the paper is on presenting a critical overview and reflection on the major findings of our evaluation of the use of telehealth platforms from the point of view of patients and health professionals and discuss certain paradoxes i.e., the advantages, challenges, recommendations, and other perspectives that emerged in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khayreddine Bouabida
- Centre de Recherche, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- École de Santé Publique, Département de Gestion, D’évaluation et de Politique de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bertrand Lebouché
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pascale Pomey
- Centre de Recherche, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- École de Santé Publique, Département de Gestion, D’évaluation et de Politique de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche, Hospital Center of the University of Montreal (CHUM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche, Centre of Excellence on Partnership with Patients and the Public, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Pol M, Qadeer A, van Hartingsveldt M, Choukou MA. Perspectives of Rehabilitation Professionals on Implementing a Validated Home Telerehabilitation Intervention for Older Adults in Geriatric Rehabilitation: Multisite Focus Group Study. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2023; 10:e44498. [PMID: 37463040 PMCID: PMC10394599 DOI: 10.2196/44498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Owing to demographic trends and increasing health care costs, quick discharge with geriatric rehabilitation at home is advised and recommended for older adults. Telerehabilitation has been identified as a promising tool to support rehabilitation at home. However, there is insufficient knowledge about how to implement a validated home telerehabilitation system in other contexts. One of the major challenges for rehabilitation professionals is transitioning to a blended work process in which human coaching is supplemented via digital care. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence the implementation of an evidence-based sensor monitoring intervention (SMI) for older adults by analyzing the perspectives of rehabilitation professionals working in 2 different health ecosystems and mapping SMI barriers and facilitators. METHODS We adopted a qualitative study design to conduct 2 focus groups, 1 in person in the Netherlands during winter of 2017 and 1 on the web via Zoom (Zoom Video Communications; owing to the COVID-19 pandemic) in Canada during winter of 2022, to explore rehabilitation providers' perspectives about implementing SMI. Qualitative data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants were a group of rehabilitation professionals in the Netherlands who have previously worked with the SMI and a group of rehabilitation professionals in the province of Manitoba (Canada) who have not previously worked with the SMI but who were introduced to the intervention through a 30-minute web-based presentation before the focus group. RESULTS The participants expressed different characteristics of the telerehabilitation intervention that contributed to making the intervention successful for at-home rehabilitation: focus on future participation goals, technology support provides the rehabilitation professionals with objective and additional insight into the daily functioning of the older adults at home, SMI can be used as a goal-setting tool, and SMI deepens their contact with older adults. The analysis showed facilitators of and barriers to the implementation of the telerehabilitation intervention. These included personal or client-related, therapist-related, and technology-related aspects. CONCLUSIONS Rehabilitation professionals believed that telerehabilitation could be suitable for monitoring and supporting older adults' rehabilitation at home. To better guide the implementation of telerehabilitation in the daily practice of rehabilitation professionals, the following steps are needed: ensuring that technology is feasible for communities with limited digital health literacy and cognitive impairments, developing instruction tools and guidelines, and training and coaching of rehabilitation professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margriet Pol
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Occupational Therapy - Participation and Environment, Faculty of Health, Center of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam University Medical center, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Medicine for Older People, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Aging & Later Life, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Amarzish Qadeer
- Bimedical Engineering graduate program, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Margo van Hartingsveldt
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Occupational Therapy - Participation and Environment, Faculty of Health, Center of Expertise Urban Vitality, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mohamed-Amine Choukou
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Fragkiadakis GF, Tsatinian A. Evaluation of Outpatient Access to the Greek Health System Considering the Constraints of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cureus 2023; 15:e36704. [PMID: 37113361 PMCID: PMC10129045 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed the way healthcare is delivered in most healthcare systems around the world. It is now known that, in addition to the medical and economic impact of the pandemic on societies, there is another unmet medical need due to the difficulties and barriers that have existed and may still exist in the provision of health services at the primary care level in public hospitals. In Greece, there appears to have been a similar problem in citizens' access to health care in the country's public hospitals, which negatively affected the satisfaction of outpatients and significantly prevented them from receiving the medical care they needed. Methods This study relied on two international questionnaires; the Visit Specific Satisfaction (VSQ-9), an instrument measuring patients' satisfaction with their visit to the physician, and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form (PSQ-18), consisting of 18 questions measuring both satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The questionnaires were collected electronically between 01.03.22 and 20.03.22 from two hundred and three outpatient residents of the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in Greece. Results The results of the study show that satisfaction of hospital outpatient department users is positively influenced by both access to medical care after the last visit (p=0.008 < 0.05) and frequency of visits (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.178, p=0.012). In addition, lower satisfaction with access to care was found among participants with the lowest income (p=0.010) and those with a chronic illness (p=0.002), which was attributed to pandemic limitations in access to health care services in public hospital outpatient departments. Regarding the overall satisfaction of participants, 40.9% were dissatisfied, and 32.5% were dissatisfied with specific hospital services. Conclusions It was found that patients were hindered from accessing medical care in the hospital due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic. This seemed to cause problems both in accessing a specialist and in making appointments. Half of the outpatients in the sample reported having difficulty communicating with the hospital to make an appointment or to access medical services in general. A relationship was also found between patient satisfaction and the quality of services provided, in terms of medical services offered, such as their availability, and patient satisfaction with the appropriate information they receive from physicians during the pandemic period. The study also found that long-term care hospitals need to improve patient satisfaction with existing medical services.
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Bouabida K, Lebouché B, Pomey MP. Telehealth and COVID-19 Pandemic: An Overview of the Telehealth Use, Advantages, Challenges, and Opportunities during COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2293. [PMID: 36421617 PMCID: PMC9690761 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of telehealth and digital health platforms has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the implementation of physical distancing measures and restrictions. To address the pandemic threat, telehealth was promptly and extensively developed, implemented, and used to maintain continuity of care offered through multi-purpose technology platforms considered as virtual healthcare facilities. The aim of this paper is to define telehealth and discuss some aspects of its utilization, role, and impact, but also opportunities and future implications particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to support our reflection and consolidate our viewpoints, numerous bibliographical sources and relevant literature were identified through an electronic keyword search of four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate). In this paper, we consider that telehealth to be a very interesting approach which can be effective and affordable for health systems aiming to facilitate access to care, maintain quality and safety of care, and engage patients and health professionals and users of health services. However, we also believe that telehealth faces many challenges, such as the issue of lack of human contact in care, confidentiality, and data security, also accessibility and training in the use of platforms for telehealth. Despite the many challenges it faces, we believe telehealth has enormous potential for strengthening and improving healthcare services. In this paper, we also call for and encourage further studies to build a solid and broad understanding of telehealth challenges with its short-term and long-term clinical, organizational, socio-economic, and ethical impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khayreddine Bouabida
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- École de Santé Publique, Département de Gestion, D’évaluation et de Politique de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
| | - Bertrand Lebouché
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Marie-Pascale Pomey
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- École de Santé Publique, Département de Gestion, D’évaluation et de Politique de Santé, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
- Hospital Center of the University of Montreal (CHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0C1, Canada
- Centre of Excellence on Partnership with Patients and the Public, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
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