Acceptability of teleconsultation in a public service specialized in the prevention and care of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections / Aceitabilidade da teleconsulta em um serviço público especializado na prevenção e cuidado da infecção pelo HIV e outras infecções sexualmente transmissíveis

Introduction: Telemedicine was leveraged for its contribution to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in Brazil and worldwide. Objective: We aim to evaluate the acceptability of incorporating teleconsultation through synchronized videoconference by users and professionals in a service specialized in the prevention and treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections, and to identify associated factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 410 users and 57 professionals who answered a category-standardized questionnaire. Predictors of acceptability were assessed using logistic regression model. Results: A total of 364 (88.8%) users said they would accept the modality. The factors positively associated with the odds of acceptance were the self-assessment of having favorable conditions to participate in a teleconsultation (aOR 54.8; 95%CI 12.4­242.1; p<0.001), the perception of saving money (aOR 5.2; 95%CI 1.9­14.0; p=0.001), and perceived convenience of the modality (aOR 6.7; 95%CI 2.9­15.9; p<0.001). Factors associated with reduced odds of acceptance were the fear of not being evaluated well (aOR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1­0.4; p<0.001), or remaining long without seeing the professional (aOR 0.2; 95%CI 0.1­0.5; p<0.001). The acceptance of the modality among professionals was 75.4% and the perception of its convenience (aOR 16.8; 95%CI 2.6­108.4; p=0.003) and that the institution has appropriated conditions (aOR 7.7; 95%CI 1.5­40.6; p=0.016) were associated with increased odds of accepting its incorporation in their routine. Conclusion: Governance should invest in infrastructure and support, secure protocols, digital literacy, and training of its users and employees for video teleconsultation. (AU)

Introdução: A telemedicina foi alavancada por sua contribuição para mitigar o impacto da COVID-19 no Brasil e no mundo. Objetivo: Pretendemos avaliar a aceitabilidade da incorporação da teleconsulta por videoconferência síncrona por usuários e profissionais de um serviço especializado na prevenção e tratamento da infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e outras infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, bem como identificar fatores associados. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 410 usuários e 57 profissionais, que responderam a um questionário padronizado por categoria. Os preditores de aceitabilidade foram avaliados utilizando-se um modelo de regressão logística. Resultados: O total de 364 (88,8%) usuários disseram que aceitariam a modalidade. Os fatores positivamente associados à probabilidade de aceitação foram a autoavaliação quanto a ter condições favoráveis para participar de uma teleconsulta (razão de chances ajustada ­ aOR 54,8; intervalo de confiança de 95% ­ IC95% 12,4­242,1; p<0,001), a percepção de poupar dinheiro (aOR 5,2; IC95% 1,9­14,0; p=0,001) e a percepção de conveniência da modalidade (aOR 6,7; IC95% 2,9­15,9; p<0,001). As menores probabilidades de aceitação foram o medo de não ser bem avaliado (aOR 0,2; IC95% 0,1­0,4; p<0,001) e de permanecer muito tempo sem ver o profissional (aOR 0,2; IC95% 0,1­0,5; p<0,001). A aceitação da modalidade pelos profissionais foi de 75,4% e a percepção de sua conveniência (aOR 16,8; IC95% 2,6­108,4; p=0,003) e a de que a instituição possui condições favoráveis (aOR 7,7; IC95% 1,5­40,6; p=0,016) foram associadas com a maior probabilidade de aceitar a incorporação da modalidade em sua rotina. Conclusão: A governança deve investir em infraestrutura e apoio, protocolos seguros, literacia digital e treinamento de seus usuários e funcionários para a videoconsulta. (AU)

Experiences and challenges in telemedicine of physicians from the National Capital Region during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction@#The COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to delivering health services through telemedicine. This study recognized the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of physicians who practice synchronous teleconsultation in the Philippines.@*Methods@#A qualitative descriptive research design using purposive sampling, eight physicians from NCR were interviewed. Data collected were subjected to thematic analysis for common themes and integrated into an analytic narrative.@*Results@#Eight physicians were included as participants. Different measures taken to remedy the gap included upskilling of physicians, adjustment of clerical work, ensuring data privacy, and creating a conducive workplace. Remote consultations posed limitations on physical examination and emphasized the reliance on diagnostics. Digital platforms used depended on the physician’s preference, type of practice, and patient’s accessibility. This led to an increased dependency on good internet and network service connections to ensure smooth teleconsultations. A lack of respect for the physician’s personal boundaries and work-life balance was cited as a major challenge. @*Conclusion@#Telemedicine proved to be an option to provide healthcare despite its limitations, but the shift to its practice exposed many challenges as it is not a replacement for physical consultations.