Patient satisfaction with telemedical access to specialty services in rural California

We assessed patient satisfaction with the use of telemedicine in rural California, in comparison with usual face-to-face care. A standardized patient satisfaction questionnaire was developed using a five-point scale to measure dimensions of care in a telemedicine environment. Twenty-four primary care sites in 18 Californian counties submitted satisfaction data. The patient response rate was 61% (n = 793). Consultations were provided in 27 specialties. The responses to the questionnaires indicated that telemedicine made it easier for patients to receive specialty care (91% of patients satisfied, mean score 4.6). There was general satisfaction with telemedicine (87%, mean 4.5), a willingness to continue receiving services (90%, mean 4.6) and most patients felt that they would not receive better care in person (61%, mean 2.3). Patients stated that they received the necessary information from specialists (85%, mean 4.5) and had their questions answered by a primary care provider or nurse (89%, mean 4.7). Seven hundred and forty-one patients submitted travel information. There was an average decrease in travel distance of 170 km and time savings of 130 min using telemedicine. The average cost of travel to a specialty appointment was $83 (n = 310). The present study suggests that telemedicine is acceptable to patients as a method of improving access to specialty expertise, and compares favourably with face-to-face care.     

Telemedicine in the emergency department: a randomized controlled trial.

Emergency physicians and nurses were trained in telemedicine techniques in two emergency departments, one rural (low volume) and one suburban (high volume). Fifteen patient complaints were selected as appropriate for the study. Of 122 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 104 (85%) consented to participate. They were randomized to control and experimental groups. The suburban emergency physician diagnosed and treated the control patients. Experimental patients presenting to the high-volume emergency department were evaluated and treated by the telemedicine nurse in person and the rural emergency physician via the telemedicine link. Immediately before discharge all telemedicine patients were re-evaluated by the suburban emergency physician. Data collected on each patient included: diagnosis; treatment; 72 h return visits; need for additional care; and satisfaction of patient, physicians and nurses. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for occurrence of 72 h return visits, need for additional care or overall patient satisfaction. The average patient throughput time (from admission to discharge) was 106 min for the telemedicine group and 117 min for the control group. Telemedicine was a satisfactory technique for the chosen group of patients in the emergency department and was acceptable to the participants.     

Primary Care Providers'' Perceptions of Home Diabetes Telemedicine Care in the IDEATel Project

CONTEXT: Few telemedicine projects have systematically examined provider satisfaction and attitudes. PURPOSE: To determine the acceptability and perceived impact on primary care providers' (PCP) practices of a randomized clinical trial of the use of telemedicine to electronically deliver health care services to Medicare patients with diabetes in federally designated medically underserved areas of upstate New York, primarily those in rural areas and small towns with limited access to primary care. METHODS: A longitudinal phone survey was completed by 116 PCPs with patients with diabetes in the treatment arm of the trial, and conducted 12 and 24 months after a PCP's first patient was randomized to the home telemedicine arm of the trial. The 36-item survey included measures of acceptability (to PCPs, time required), impact (on patient knowledge, confidence, perceived health outcomes), and communication. Six open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: The quantitative data indicated positive responses in terms of acceptability of the telemedicine intervention to the PCPs and of the impact on the PCPs' patients. This was most evident in issues critical to good control of diabetes: patient knowledge, ability to manage diabetes, confidence, and compliance in managing diabetes. Key qualitative themes, on the positive end, were more patient control and motivation, helpfulness of having extra patient data, and involvement of nurses and dieticians. Negative themes were excessive paperwork and duplication taking more PCP time, and conflicting advice and management decisions from the telemedicine team, some without informing the PCP but none involving medications. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine was reported to be a positive experience for predominantly rural PCPs and their Medicare-eligible patients from medically underserved areas; several inefficiencies need to be refined.     

Patient Satisfaction with Care in Programs for Low Income Individuals

Although a variety of public and private programs provide care for low-income individuals, little is known about patient satisfaction across these programs. The objective of this study was to examine patient satisfaction across a variety of health insurance programs. A survey was conducted of randomly selected adults in Kentucky who had an outpatient visit in the past 12 months (616 with private insurance, 683 Medicaid recipients, 287 in private sector charity program for uninsured indigents). Patient satisfaction with multiple dimensions of their most recent outpatient visit was assessed. All insurance groups were generally satisfied with the care received in their most recent visit. For all 8 dimensions of patient satisfaction, the private insurance group was significantly higher than the other groups. In a model controlling for standard demographic and health status variables, higher overall satisfaction with the visit was positively related to higher income and higher mental health functional status. The insurance category variable had no significant relationship to overall satisfaction with the visit. Although patients receiving care through health insurance programs for low-income individuals are generally satisfied with the services, there is an indication that low-income individuals, regardless of insurance type, are less satisfied with the care they receive.     

基于患者价值的远程医疗体系构建对肝癌患者行为意向及决策参与满意度的影响

目的:研究基于患者价值的远程医疗体系构建对肝癌患者行为意向及决策参与满意度影响。方法:选取医院收治的71例肝癌患者,按照基于患者价值的远程医疗体系构建前后顺序,将2017年3月至2018年3月收治的36例肝癌患者纳入对照组,2018年4月至2019年3月收治的35例肝癌患者纳入观察组。对照组采用常规的医疗体系管理;观察组构建并实施基于患者价值的远程医疗体系管理;采用3个量表对比分析两组肝癌患者的医疗行为意向、安全行为意向以及决策参与满意度。结果:观察组医疗行为意向量表中共同参与意愿和共同参与行为评分均高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=5.231,t=4.587;P<0.05);观察组在安全行为意向量表能主动提醒、能主动并反复提问和否认是医务人员自身事情的患者比例高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(x^2=6.365,x^2=7.227,x2=10.745;P<0.05);观察组决策参与满意度量表中信息、交流协商、决策和总满意度及信心评分均高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=5.231,t=4.587,t=6.369,t=3.224;P<0.05)。结论:基于患者价值的远程医疗体系的构建能明显提高肝癌患者的医疗及安全行为意向,提高患者的决策参与满意度。     

A telephone survey of patient satisfaction with realtime telemedicine in a rural community in Colombia

We conducted a telephone survey of all patients referred to a realtime telemedicine consultation at the Centre for Telehealth in Bogotá. Over a six-month period, 281 teleconsultations were conducted, and we were able to retrieve telephone numbers for 156 patients. Of these, 121 patients (78%) agreed to answer the questionnaire. Eighty percent of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the teleconsultation and 63% would use telemedicine again. Sixty-five percent thought that telemedicine improved their medical care. More than 50% believed that telemedicine had a positive effect in terms of medical care improvement, time- and cost-savings. Twenty-seven percent felt that teleconsultation was not as good as a traditional face-to-face consultation. Lack of familiarity with ICT did not appear to act as a major barrier to telemedicine, and cognitive factors may be more important in acceptability to patients and their satisfaction. The results of the present study may also be relevant to the poorest countries of the world, where two-thirds of the population live in rural areas.     

Patient satisfaction with health care services at a national institute of ophthalmology

Little is known about how patients in developing countries, such as Vietnam, are satisfied with eye care services. The purpose of this study was to assess the satisfaction with health services and its associated factors among patients attending a national institute of ophthalmology in Vietnam. In a cross‐sectional study utilizing quantitative methods, 500 inpatients and their relatives attending a national institute of ophthalmology in Vietnam were approached for data collection. The results indicated that under 50% of the patients were satisfied with eye care services. However, when classified by level of satisfaction, only 6.8% were very satisfied with all domains of care. There was no significant difference in satisfaction by gender and income, while significant differences by department, residence, and education were found. Patients who were from rural areas, were better educated, and used the services of the glaucoma department, were more satisfied with eye care than those from urban areas, were less educated, and used the services of treatment‐on‐demand department. Multivariable regression detected 2 main factors, gender and location, associated with patient satisfaction. Patients who were female and came from rural and remote areas were more likely to be satisfied than patients who were male and living in urban areas. The study suggests that to continue to improve health care quality, it is important to eliminate differences in providing eye care services regardless of whether patients are male or female, and whether they come from a rural or urban area.     

Acceptability to primary care providers of telemedicine in diabetes case management

We studied the perceptions of primary care providers (PCPs) about the telemedicine intervention in a trial of telemedicine for management of diabetes in medically under-served areas of New York State. A survey was mailed to 206 rural and 159 urban PCPs. The response rates were 25% and 22%, respectively. Eighty percent of respondents believed that a diabetes telemedicine case management system would help their practice. An overall satisfaction score (possible range 0-80) suggested good acceptability (mean 66, SD 12). In multiple linear regression, the rural location and younger age of the PCPs were independent predictors of higher satisfaction (both P < 0.01). Within-PCP comparisons showed a higher perceived impact on patients, as compared to impact on PCP practices (P < 0.001). However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the low response rates.     

Determinants of customer satisfaction with the health care system, with the possibility to choose a personal physician and with a family doctor in a transition country

Many Eastern and Central European counties are reforming their health care systems. The aim of this study was to determine customer satisfaction with a reformed health care system, with the possibility of free choice of a family physician and patient satisfaction with the family physician in Slovenia and their major determinants. We used a postal survey of the patients who attended their family physician's offices during the study period. We obtained an 84% response rate. Some 72.9% of the respondents were satisfied with the current organisation of health care services, 95.5% of the respondents were satisfied with the possibility of choosing their own family physician and 58% of participants were very satisfied with the level of care received from their personal family practitioners. It was shown that higher patient satisfaction with the family physician was the most powerful predictor of patients' satisfaction with the health care system. The results show that health care reform in Slovenia has a positive impact on the consumers' perceptions of health care quality, measured in terms of consumer satisfaction with the health care system, the possibility to choose a family physician and the overall satisfaction with the family physician.     

The physician's role in educating patients. A comparison of mailed versus physician-delivered patient education

BACKGROUND: Patients value receiving educational information during office visits, but physicians often lack the time or training to satisfy this need. We examined whether an increased physician role in educating patients is an effective means of improving patient satisfaction. METHODS: Using a nonrandomized controlled research design, we compared patient satisfaction with self-care information provided by traditional direct-mail approaches and by physicians during routine office visits. We also studied a control group of patients receiving usual care. RESULTS: Patients who received a medical self-care book from a physician were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their office visit than those who received the book in the mail or those who experienced usual care. The intervention group reported greater satisfaction with 11 out of 13 variables related to physician-patient communication and quality of care. There were no significant differences between the control group and the direct-mail group. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who received self-care information from their physicians were significantly more satisfied with their care and their physician-patient communication experience than those in either the direct-mail group or the control group. Our findings lend support to the growing evidence that patients informed by their physicians are more satisfied with their care.     

Patient satisfaction with teledermatology services

We collected data on patient satisfaction with the use of teledermatology services. During a 27-month study, a single dermatologist saw a total of 321 patients via telemedicine. The patients completed 483 surveys, although not all questions were answered on all surveys. There was a high level of satisfaction among patients using teledermatology: 88% of 258 respondents said that they were satisfied with their telemedicine session. In terms of the eight questions on the questionnaire, 84% of the responses were in the top two positive categories on a seven-point Likert scale. In addition, access to dermatology appeared to increase with the availability of the telemedicine service.     

Telemedicine in acute stroke care: the TESSA model

We conducted a retrospective controlled study to assess the safety and effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis via videoconferencing, followed by patient transport to a specialized stroke unit. Between 2006 and 2009, 47 stroke patients were treated in peripheral hospitals in the county of Salzburg in Austria by intravenous thrombolysis via telemedicine; 304 patients who were treated with intravenous thrombolysis at a stroke unit served as the control group. The mean age of the patients was 67 years in the telemedicine group and 71 years in the control group. Haemorrhagic bleeding occurred in 6.4% of the telemedicine group compared to 7.6% of the control group. The mean onset-to-needle time was 113 min in the telemedicine group and 122 min in the control group (P = 0.263). At three-month follow-up, 47% of the patients in the telemedicine group had good functional outcomes (mRS, dichotomized analysis 0-1) versus 43% in the control group (P = 0.694). The overall mortality at three-month follow-up was 19% in the telemedicine group and 13% in the control group (P = 0.248). Telemedicine can be used to support regional areas with little experience in delivering intravenous thrombolysis, thus raising the standard of stroke care and minimizing inequalities.     

Patient Perceptions of Acute Care Telemedicine: A Pilot Investigation

This investigation focuses on the patient perceptions of the interaction that occurs during acute telemedical care in an emergency department and the effectiveness of this technology. Data indicate 95% of the patients were seen by a specialist within 15 minutes of arriving at the emergency room and fewer than 12% reported experiencing a technical problem (n = 150). Further, 80% of the patients indicated that they were satisfied with level of concern communicated to them by the specialist and 80% were satisfied with the explanation of their medical condition. Finally, 80% of the patients believed the use of telemedicine was a positive factor in the diagnostic process and 80% were reported being satisfied with their overall treatment.     

护理质量持续改进在气囊尿管留置管理中的应用

目的探讨护理质量持续改进在气囊导尿管留置管理中的应用效果。方法采用历史对照法将2009年1月～2010年12月入住内科病房的需要留置气囊导尿管的截瘫及脑卒中患者80例,按实施护理质量持续改进先后顺序分为对照组和观察组,对照组采取传统的气囊导尿管留置法管理,观察组采取护理质量持续改进的气囊导尿管留置法管理模式,即采取成立科室气囊导尿管留置管理小组,明确护理质量目标,完善气囊导尿管留置法管理流程,比较两组患者的满意度和值班护士的满意度。结果两组患者的满意度、值班护士的满意度差异均有统计学意义,观察组患者的满意度、值班护士的满意度明显高于对照组。结论护理质量持续改进有利于提升护理质量和促进护理安全,提高患者的满意度和值班护士的满意度,提高护理管理质量。     

Patient satisfaction with telemedicine in a prison environment.

Prison inmates were surveyed about their perceptions of the use of videoconferencing in clinical consultations. A 14-item questionnaire was used to assess satisfaction with the patient-physician clinical interaction. Of the 299 inmates surveyed immediately after their teleconsultations, 221 completed questionnaires that were suitable for analysis (74%). Only 9% of patients indicated that they were not satisfied with the teleconsultation. They rated the telemedicine context well above the midpoint of the scale (16) on both an information-exchange and a patient-comfort dimension, with means of 29 and 24, respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in the patient-comfort dimension in terms of the location of the prisoners. No significant differences were found in patient satisfaction related to the specialty of the physician. The results suggest that many contextual factors must be considered to understand the communicative implications of patient satisfaction with telemedicine.     

A randomized controlled trial of facilitating information giving to patients with chronic medical conditions: effects on outcomes of care.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an intervention to facilitate information giving to patients with chronic medical conditions on outcomes of care. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 276 eligible patients with chronic medical conditions at a family medicine clinic was randomized to control and experimental interventions. A total of 205 completed the study. Experimental group patients received copies of their medical record progress notes, and they completed question lists for physician review, while control group patients received health education sheets and completed suggestion lists for improving clinic care. Self-reported physical functioning, global health, and patient satisfaction and adherence were measured at enrollment and after the interventions. Visit lengths and patient response to medical record sharing after the interventions were also measured. RESULTS: After the intervention, experimental group patients reported 3.7% better overall physical functioning than did control patients (mean = 83.6, standard deviation [SD] = 17.6 vs mean = 79.9, SD = 25.3; P = .005 after adjusting for covariates). The experimental group was more satisfied with their physician's care (mean = 31.4, SD = 4.6 vs mean = 31.3, SD = 5.2; P = .045 after adjusting for covariates). They were also more interested in seeing their medical records than were control patients (mean = 12.0, SD = 2.8 vs mean = 11.2, SD = 2.8; P = .002 after adjusting for covariates). Experimental group patients also reported an 8.3% improvement in overall health status (postintervention mean = 3.0, SD = 1.1) compared with their pre-intervention health status (mean = 2.8, SD = 1.0; P =.001). Visit lengths for patients in the experimental group did not differ from those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A simple patient-centered intervention to facilitate information giving in the primary health care of patients with chronic medical conditions can improve self-reported health, physical functioning, and satisfaction with care.     

妊高症产妇临床护理干预的效果观察

目的：探究临床护理干预对妊高症产妇的效果,提高患者满意度。方法：选择2012年02月-2014年02月期间我院收治的84例妊高症产妇作为研究对象,把这些产妇平均分成两组,一组接受常规护理措施,是为对照组,另一组接受临床护理干预措施,是为观察组,对比观察组和对照组的临床效果。结果：观察组的先兆子痫、子痫、难产的发生率明显低于对照组,观察组和对照组护理效果差异存在统计学意义（P〈0.05）。对照组中,不满意的患者有8例,较满意的患者有14例,非常满意的患者有20例,患者的满意度为80.9%。在观察组中,不满意的患者有2例,较满意的患者有10例,非常满意的患者有30例,患者的满意度为95.2%。观察组的患者满意程度明显高于对照组,观察组和对照组患者满意程度对比差异存在统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：临床护理干预在妊高症产妇中获得良好的疗效,因此值得在临床上推广应用。     

6S管理对神经内科护理安全和患者满意度的影响分析

目的探讨6S管理对神经内科护理安全和患者满意度的影响。方法方便选择该院神经内科2017年1月-2018年12月收治的住院患者共400例,护士30名作为研究对象,分别设置为对照组、观察组,各200例。对照组施行常规护理管理,观察组施行6S管理,两组就护理差错事件发生率、护理满意度进行比较,并比较两组护士的工作压力指数、职场正念评分、职业满意度。结果 (1)观察组的护理差错事件总发生率1.50%低于对照组的7.00%(P<0.05),其护理总满意率97.50%高于对照组91.00%(P<0.05)。(2)观察组阶段护士的工作压力指数较对照组阶段降低(P<0.05),其职场正念评分、职业满意度均较对照组阶段增高(P<0.05)。结论 6S管理用于神经内科可减少护理差错事件,使患者对护理服务更加满意,还可减轻护士的工作压力,提升其职场正念、职业满意度。     

基于医务人员视角的远程医疗服务使用意愿和关键问题研究

目的:分析我国医务人员远程医疗服务使用意愿和关键问题,以完善远程医疗服务体系。方法:2019年10—11月,对福建、海南、河南、湖南、贵州、四川和青海7个省份中已参与过远程医疗的邀请方和受邀方医务人员进行电子问卷调查,主要内容为医务人员对远程医疗的使用意愿、满意度情况和认知评价情况等。通过描述性统计分析和非参数检验,探...     

Perspectives from the Veterans Health Administration about opportunities and barriers in telemedicine

We used qualitative interviews to examine the perceptions of direct providers of telemedicine services, primary care providers (PCPs) and hospital administrators about opportunities and barriers to the implementation of telemedicine services in a network of Veterans Health Administration hospitals. A total of 37 interviews were conducted (response rate of 28%) with 17 direct telemedicine providers, nine PCPs and 11 administrators. The overall inter-coder reliability across all themes was high (Scott's pi = 0.94). Direct telemedicine providers generally agreed that telemedicine improved rapport with patients, and respondents in all three groups generally agreed that telemedicine improves access, productivity, and the quality and coordination of care. Respondents mentioned several benefits to home telemedicine, including the ability to better manage chronic diseases, provide frequent clinician contact, facilitate quick responses to patient needs and provide care in patient's homes. Most respondents anticipated future growth in telemedicine services. Barriers to telemedicine implementation included technical challenges, the need for more education and training for patients and staff, preferences for in-person care, the need for programme improvement and the need for additional staff time to provide telemedicine services.