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Jenna Guma, DO1; Katelyn Klimowich, DO1; Juming Pan, PhD2; Philip Collins, DO1; Danielle Cooley, DO, FACOFP1
1Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ
2Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Methods: This study utilized an online anonymous survey of physicians to assess their satisfaction, comfort level and student involvement when using telemedicine for patient care.
Results: Overall, physicians’ experiences with the integration of telemedicine into their practices varied based on gender, the presence of medical students, age and prior experience with telemedicine. Physicians are more comfortable with telemedicine now than they had been prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and physicians who had prior experience were less likely to find it stressful to incorporate. Physicians in both the youngest (30–39 years old) and oldest (60 and older) categories reported the highest levels of satisfaction with telemedicine. Female physicians indicated they will be more likely to incorporate more telemedicine into practice in the future, beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the specialties surveyed, family physicians report the lowest levels of comfort and satisfaction with telemedicine.
Conclusion: Physician respondents of this survey provided valuable data on the perceptions of the widespread incorporation of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research can follow which physicians choose to keep telemedicine integrated into their practices and how the demand for these virtual visits may change in the coming months.
BACKGROUND
Telemedicine, also called telehealth, is an emerging field in which physicians are able to interact electronically with patients to improve health. Telemedicine can be performed through virtual platforms such as email, telephone and video, and can provide or augment care to a multitude of patients.1 The benefits of telemedicine include increasing access to care in areas where there are provider shortages, decreasing travel burden on patients and assisting in diagnosis when utilizing video consultations.2 In recent years, telemedicine has been implemented in all facets of health— from monitoring dialysis and diabetes outcomes to primary care and ophthalmology.3,4,5,6 During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic, the use of telemedicine has grown exponentially in an effort to continue to see patients and manage their care.7 The unprecedented era of social distancing and overloaded hospital systems has led many primary care providers and specialists to rapidly develop these capabilities in their practices.8 As we have seen with other natural disasters and emergency situations, the increased use of telemedicine and tele–mental health helps clinicians provide quality care remotely and safely.9
As physicians work to provide equally high-quality care for their patients remotely, patient outcomes and satisfaction in response to these changes must be considered. Though its use was encouraged
by the pandemic, telehealth plays the role of improving patient
CORRESPONDENCE:
Jenna Guma, DO | jengums@gmail.com
Copyright© 2021 by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 1877-573X
DOI: 10.33181/13053
care despite extenuating environmental circumstances. Studies of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment delivered through telehealth and in-person services found that patient satisfaction levels were equivalent.10 For diseases like type 1 diabetes, regular check-ins with patients about their challenges and goals are important for preventing acute illness and hospitalizations. One