Telegenetics services in a tertiary hospital: Utility and patient satisfaction

Background@#Telegenetics has been a very useful platform to continue the different services offered by the clinical genetics team especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when this mode of care had been maximized.@*Objective@#This paper aimed to present the process of telegenetics in a tertiary hospital and the feedback for this service through patient satisfaction surveys. @*Methods@#Telegenetics consultation is divided into three phases: pre-consultation, consultation, and post-consultation. Patient satisfaction in the delivery of genetics services were obtained through a survey answered by patients/caregivers after telegenetics consultation. Ratings of patient satisfaction on telegenetics consultation during the pandemic (September 2020 to February 2021) were compared from that of face-to-face consultations before the pandemic (September 2019 to February 2020).@*Results@# In 2020, there were a total of 1,228 consultations made via telegenetics. Of which, 319 consultations were for the metabolic service, 138 for dysmorphology, 207 for genetic counseling, and 564 for dietary counseling. New patients comprised 13.84% of the consultations and 86.16% were from follow-up patients. In 2021, there were a total of 3,124 consultations made via telegenetics. Of which, 617 consultations were for the metabolic service, 688 for dysmorphology, 961 for genetic counseling, and 858 for dietary counseling. New patients comprised 12.93% of the consultations and 87.07% were from follow-up patients. Over a period of 6 months, pre-pandemic (face-to-face consultation) and pandemic (telegenetics) patient satisfaction survey results showed no significant difference on the results for both new patient consultations and follow-up patient consultations that is a standard satisfactory rating of at least 3 (satisfactory) on customer satisfaction by more than 70% of the respondents. @*Conclusion@#Patient satisfaction ratings on the utility of telegenetics was comparable to that of face-to-face consultations. Its use has shown benefits like cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, improved accessibility, and psychological benefits as some patients fear a hospital setting during the pandemic. It also has limitations like possible technical difficulties during consultations and limited opportunity for physical examination, establishing rapport, and exploring psychosocial issues. Hence it is important to consider the possibility of a telegenetics consultation as an alternative to a face-to-face consultation.

Acceptance, knowledge, and experiences of Pediatric Hematologists in the Philippines on newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies

Background@#Hemoglobinopathies as a group is one of the most common conditions confirmed through the newborn screening (NBS) program of the Philippines. This led to the increased participation of pediatric hematologists in the NBS program.@*Objective@#The aim of the study was to assess newborn screening acceptance and knowledge of pediatric hematologists using an online questionnaire.@*Method@#Members of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Hematology (PSPH), who are practicing pediatric hematologists in the Philippines, were invited to answer an online questionnaire.@*Results@#Sixty members of the PSPH (65.2%) answered the survey. All the respondents are familiar with the newborn screening program. Fifty-seven respondents (95 %) have already managed a case of hemoglobinopathy identified through the newborn screening program. Differences in the approach to management and level of confidence with diagnostic test result interpretation have been noted. General themes of their concerns include being unaware of the protocol, concerns on delays in confirmatory tests, request for guidelines on follow-up, and incongruence of results with clinical picture.@*Conclusion@#The information collected may be used to develop strategies to better equip our pediatric hematologists and assist the PSPH standardize management protocols for hemoglobinopathies.