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Examining Patient and Provider Perspectives of Telemedicine in a Community Health Clinic Setting

CP7 - Examining Patient and Provider Perspectives of Telemedicine in a Community Health Clinic Setting

Poster Type: Research

Track/Topic: A. T. Still University; Quality of Care and Quality Improvement

Research Objectives: Telemedicine usage has grown exponentially but little literature examines its use in community health clinics. This project examined patient and provider perceptions and experiences of telemedicine in two CHC settings with diverse patient populations in order to help participating sites improve and maximize their delivery of telemedicine.

Research Study Design/Methods: We are surveying patients at two CHCs in Brooklyn, including those who have and those who have not used telemedicine, using anonymous paper surveys which are collected in waiting rooms. Patient surveys assess usefulness, interface quality, ease of use, communication, access to telemedicine necessities, safety/security, and satisfaction. Surveys of those who have not used telemedicine also assess patient concerns regarding telemedicine. Demographic characteristics collected include race/ethnicity, primary language, gender, and age. Providers at the CHCs are surveyed via anonymous online survey distributed by email. Surveys assess usability, quality of communication, usefulness, perception of patient telemedicine experience, and satisfaction.

Research Principal Findings and Quantitative/Qualitative Results: Data collection is ongoing. 246 patients have been surveyed with a response rate of 68.7%. We will analyze results using statistical analysis and stratify by race/ethnicity, primary language, age, and gender to look for differences in findings. We will compare responses from patients who have used telemedicine compared to patients who have not to identify factors that differ between the groups, including differences in group characteristics and in perceptions of telemedicine. Provider survey results will be analyzed for trends and themes in the survey topics covered. Data collection will stop May 31 and results will be ready June 14.

Research Conclusions on Impact on Health Centers: We hope our findings will provide greater insight into the usage and acceptability of telemedicine amongst vulnerable patients. Findings will be presented to participating sites’ administrations and may inform them of ways to improve their telemedicine service for both providers and patients as well as how to cater telemedicine to their specific patient populations and address barriers. Although our findings are not generalizable, other CHCs can use a similar methodology and survey system to assess their usage of telemedicine, and can learn from our findings as they consider ways to improve their own telemedicine programs.

Authors:

Emilie Doan Van, MPH, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Anirudh Singhal, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Niloufar Akhavan Tabib, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Ryan Andrade, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Mark Calandra, BSN, RN, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Myrna Hanna, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Tahmin Hassan, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Peter Oro, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Richelle Reznik, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Dhipthika Srinivasan, OMS-II, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Laura Grady, DO, Regional Director of Medical Education, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Norma Villanueva, MD, MPH, Regional Director of Medical Education, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Kate Whelihan, MPH, CPH, COPC and Public Health Research Specialist, Department of Public Health, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Joy H. Lewis, DO, PhD, FACP, Professor, Medicine and Public Health Chair, SOMA Dept. of Public Health, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine