Patients' perception of using telehealth for consultation: insights after pandemic and development of an online calculator platform to predict acceptance of remote consultation: the TELEMED international study

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a change in healthcare models. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient acceptance of telehealth as an alternative to physical consultations, and to identify factors predicting higher satisfaction. This was an observational, cross-sectional, multi-center, intern...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sánchez-Guillén L, Lillo-García C, Barber X, González-Mora C, Álvarez-Gallego M, Ioannidis A, Clermonts S, Frontali A, Saldaña R, Mayol J, Pellino G
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (FISABIO)
Repositorio:r-FISABIO. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica
OAI Identifier:oai:fisabio.fundanetsuite.com:p16953
Acceso en línea:https://fisabio.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/16953
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85190407761&doi=10.1007%2fs13304-024-01780-z&partnerID=40&md5=7b7bb213f7730050de7028847a82e7c8
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:COVID-19
Telehealth
Patient satisfaction
Technology acceptance
Descripción
Sumario:The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a change in healthcare models. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient acceptance of telehealth as an alternative to physical consultations, and to identify factors predicting higher satisfaction. This was an observational, cross-sectional, multi-center, international study. All consecutive patients for whom telehealth was used in consultations between April and July 2020 were considered for inclusion. The validated Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) was used as a model to measure patient acceptance. Overall, 747 patients were observed, of whom 721 agreed to participate (96<middle dot>5%). The TUQ showed that 86<middle dot>9% of patients agreed that telehealth was useful; 85<middle dot>2% supported the interface quality and 81<middle dot>4% endorsed the interaction quality. Patients aged > 60 y were less likely to agree with the use of telehealth (p < 0<middle dot>05). A web-based prediction tool was generated to calculate global satisfaction and to identify patients more likely to feel comfortable with telehealth. Telehealth is feasible and allows consultations that are satisfactory for patients. Technological advancements could ease safe implementation of telehealth into everyday practice. Adequate patient selection can be useful to ensure that the ideal strategy is used for each individual during and after the pandemic.