Telemedicine for Rheumatology Patients in Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Patients. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riaz, Muhammad Mehmood; Mahmood, Saad Bin Zafar; Nasir, Noreen
• Is Part Of: Journal of patient experience. Volume 9(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Rheumatology -- telemedicine -- Covid-19 -- eHealth -- perspectives -- patient experience -- patient access; Patient satisfaction -- Periodicals; Patient satisfaction -- United States -- Periodicals; Patient participation -- Periodicals; Patient participation -- United States -- Periodicals; Patient satisfaction; Patient participation; United States; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1177/23743735221092635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-3735

Abstract

Telemedicine use for patients with autoimmune rheumatic conditions during the pandemic mandates better characterization. We conducted a telephonic survey on patients who consulted rheumatologists remotely to determine their attitudes toward telemedicine. The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan which is a lower-middle-income country. Descriptive analyses were performed. Fifty patients visited tele-rheumatology clinic, 35 (70.0%) were female with a mean (SD) age of 47.6 (18.1) years. Majority (27, 54.0%) learned about telemedicine from hospital website and outpatient clinic desk or helpline. Lack of examination was the biggest concern with teleconsultation (18, 22.2%). Most patients (38, 76.0%) agreed to continue teleconsultation beyond the pandemic. Telemedicine is preferable for providing rheumatology outpatient service during and after the pandemic.