The characteristics and perceptions to utilising Telehealth of predominantly middle-aged to older, metropolitan-based general medical patients

Intern Med J. 2023 Mar 6. doi: 10.1111/imj.16047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Effective post-pandemic telehealth (TH) requires understanding patients' characteristics and perceptions, which have not been established in broader clinical services and independent of TH appointments.

AIM: To understand medical patients' characteristics and perspectives to utilising TH.

METHODS: General medical patients in a statewide tertiary hospital in Victoria, Australia received a de-identified survey independent of TH appointments during visits between July-November 2020. Patients' characteristics, access to devices enabling TH, knowledge of TH, and willingness to use TH were analysed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Of 1600 patients, 754 patients (46.4% female, aged 72.0 years (59.0-83.0)) were able to complete the survey. Majority lived in metropolitan areas (74.4%), owned at least one TH device (98.1%), and had internet access at home (55.6%). About 52.7% of patients were comfortable with their devices, and 43.5% had successfully used TH. Although patients preferred face-to-face appointments (80.8%) and 41.4% agreed TH would be as good as in-person appointments, 63.9% were interested in future TH appointments. Patients preferring face-to-face appointments were older (p = 0.008) and had lower education levels (p = 0.010), while patients preferring TH had video-TH devices (p < 0.05), were comfortable with their devices (p = 0.002) and were willing to use TH (p < 0.05). TH cost saving was parking A$10.0 (0.0-15.0), driving A$5.8 (4.5-19.9), public transport A$8.00 (5.0-10.0), taxis A$30.00 (15.0-50.0), and time A$153.2 (76.6-153.2).

CONCLUSION: From predominately middle-aged to older, metropolitan-based general medical patients completing the survey, most preferred face-to-face appointments to TH. Health services should subsidise those in need of TH and target the patients' barriers to effective TH use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36876960 | DOI:10.1111/imj.16047