Patients' perceptions of a telemedicine specialty clinic

Mair, Frances, Whitten, Pamela, May, Carl and Doolittle, Gary C. (2000) Patients' perceptions of a telemedicine specialty clinic. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 6 (1), 36-40. (doi:10.1258/1357633001933925).

Abstract

We studied patients' perceptions of telemedicine interactive video as a means of delivering specialist oncology/haematology care. Semistructured telephone interviews were performed with 22 patients attending a tele-oncology/haematology clinic in Kansas. Interviews were audio-taped and thematic content analysis of the transcripts was done.

The response rate was 96%. All participants expressed satisfaction with their teleconsultations. For 50% of respondents, satisfaction with the tele-oncology/haematology clinic was qualified by two factors: participants also saw the specialist in person on occasions and the clinic was perceived as providing mainly a monitoring' function. In addition, 9 of the 22 patients expressed concern about the role of the nurse as a proxy for the doctor in performing certain parts of the physical examination. Overall, participants valued improved access to specialist services but had clear views as to the limitations of such a service. As the use of telecommunications technology grows, patient perspectives merit greater attention.

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Contributors

Author: Carl May

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