Dataset Information

Telehealth for gynaecology outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient and clinician experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated alterations in provision of health care and how patients access it. Telehealth has replaced traditional face-to-face outpatient clinics in an unprecedented manner. This study aimed to assess overall patient and clinician satisfaction with telehealth consultations, to establish acceptability of telehealth during pandemic and non-pandemic times, and document feedback.

Materials and methods

A prospective observational study involving women presenting to a general gynaecology outpatient department was performed. Women who attended for consultation between 13 July and 4 September 2020 were invited to participate in a questionnaire following their telehealth appointment. Clinicians consulting in the outpatient department were invited to complete a questionnaire at the end of the eight-week study period. Satisfaction, utility and acceptability data were obtained using visual analogue scales (VAS).

Results

Twenty-six out of 56 (46.4%) clinicians and 124/870 (14.3%) patients completed the questionnaire. Patients who responded were older and more likely to have been born in Australia than women who did not (P = 0.0355 and P = 0.005, respectively). Overall patient satisfaction with telehealth was high (median VAS (interquartile range), 8.6 (5.6-9.8)). More women found telehealth to be acceptable during a pandemic than afterward (8.9 vs 6.6, P < 0.0001). Clinicians were less satisfied with telehealth than patients (7.1 vs 8.6, P = 0.02); however, most would be happy to continue using telehealth in non-pandemic times (7.0 (6.2-9.8)).

Conclusion

Telehealth consultations allow provision of gynaecological care at a time when reducing risk of infection to patients and staff is paramount. Telehealth gynaecology consultations are efficient and convenient without significant detriment to patient or clinician satisfaction.

SUBMITTER: Mclaughlin EJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9111195 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Telehealth for gynaecology outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient and clinician experiences.

Mclaughlin Emma Jane EJ Ellett Lenore Caroline LC Readman Emma E Mooney Samantha S

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology 20220323 4

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated alterations in provision of health care and how patients access it. Telehealth has replaced traditional face-to-face outpatient clinics in an unprecedented manner. This study aimed to assess overall patient and clinician satisfaction with telehealth consultations, to establish acceptability of telehealth during pandemic and non-pandemic times, and document feedback.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>A prospective observational study involving ...[more]

PMID: 35322405

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Dataset Information

Telehealth for gynaecology outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient and clinician experiences.

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Telehealth for gynaecology outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patient and clinician experiences.

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