Implementation of a Telemedicine Clinic in the Covid-19 Era
#MMPMIDC7527188
Khalil S
; Moore MA
; Cho DJ
; Nsair A
; Rodriguez SJ
; Kamath M
J Card Fail
2020[Oct]; 26
(10
): S72
PMIDC7527188
show ga
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has drastically altered the delivery of medical care in the
United States and beyond. Healthcare providers have been forced to rapidly
innovate to mitigate the spread of infection and maintain social distancing.
Telemedicine allows for the continuation of vital patient care while decreasing
the risk of virus transmission. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a survey to assess the
satisfaction of both patients and providers with rapid implementation of an
electronic medical record (EMR) based video visit system. METHODS: A survey
hyperlink was distributed through EMR messages to patients and emails to
providers. RESULTS: 74/376 patients (19.7%) and 8/10 (80%) providers completed
the survey. The population consisted of advanced heart failure (n?=?37, 50%),
mechanical circulatory support (n?=?4, 5.4%), transplant (n?=?19, 25.7%) and
general cardiology (n?=?14, 18.9%) patients and their respective providers. The
patient survey consisted of validated survey questions to assess patient and
provider perceptions. Patients were 69.7% male with a mean age of 65. 74% of the
patients consider themselves early adopters or innovators with new technology.
85% of surveyed patients believed that telemedicine is simple to use and easy to
learn. 77% felt the telemedicine system interface was of good quality, 88%
believed it allows for good interaction with the provider, 95% believed it
protects both patients and providers by limiting exposure to COVID-19, 83% were
overall satisfied with this telemedicine system and would use it again. 75% of
providers reported no telemedicine experience prior to COVID-19. Notably, 100% of
physicians consider themselves early adopters or innovators with new technology.
87.5% deemed their patients highly complex. 100 % of providers felt that
telemedicine is useful for their job and 87.5% felt that their job would be
difficult to perform without it, 27.5% believed video visits save and reduce time
spent on unproductive activities, and allow accomplishing more work and tasks
more quickly, 87.5% believe the system is easy to use overall, 100% agree it
enhances providers? and patients? safety during COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Patients
reported high level of satisfaction with video visits and interaction with their
providers as well as with the ease of use and convenience of telemedicine
appointments. Providers found the telemedicine system easy to use and useful for
their job, but many believe there is room for improvement with respect to time
saving measures.
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