Evaluation of Patients' Satisfaction with the Transition of Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinics to Teleconsultation During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The utilization of telemedicine has been steadily rising and became more available during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to ensure the continuity of care and minimize the risk of exposure to the infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' and caregivers' satisfaction to newly developed teleconsultation services at the internal medical outpatient clinics at a tertiary university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional satisfaction evaluation was conducted between April 2020 and June 2020. Participants included patients or caregivers who were randomly selected to answer a multi-item questionnaire to measure satisfaction with the quality, effectiveness, and convenience of the service. Results: A total of 901 participants completed the satisfaction survey. Most of the patients were in the age group 45-64 years (43.7%). The main teleconsultation method was telephone call (99.2%) and 798 participants (88.6%) were satisfied with the quality of teleconsultation. There was no difference in satisfaction levels across the various specialty clinics or age groups. The service was viewed as convenient by 636 participants (70.5%) and 481 (56.6%) preferred to continue using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The study revealed high level of satisfaction among patients and caregivers with the recently introduced teleconsultation services at internal medicine outpatient clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a relatively new concept in many countries. This opens the door to further utilize telemedicine as an integrated part to improve patient care beyond the pandemic.

Acceptability of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in a public health care setting before and after COVID-19: a prospective patient questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain patient acceptance of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in the National Health Service (NHS). METHODS: A survey was devised using a 5-point Likert scale for questions related to ISBCS, which patients undertook during their cataract outpatient appointment pre-COVID-19 lockdown and by telephone during the lockdown. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed for 267 patients. Most respondents were aged over 71 (51%) and were female individuals (60%). Forty-five per cent agreed/strongly agreed with opting for ISBCS. A positive correlation was identified between opting for ISBCS and convenience to the patient (r=0.76, p<0.01) and family/carer/partner (r=0.71, p<0.01) and wanting to limit numbers of hospital visits (r=0.57, p<0.01). Fifty per cent agreed/strongly agreed that they were worried about the risk of simultaneous bilateral ocular complications, with this correlating with being less likely to opt for ISBCS (r=-0.49, p<0.01) and being scared of ISBCS (r=0.67, p<0.01). During COVID-19 lockdown, patients were less likely to want to minimise the time taken off work (p<0.05) and less intolerant of a prolonged hospital visit (p<0.05). Only 23% of respondents agreed/strongly agreed that they had familiarity with ISBCS. CONCLUSIONS: ISBCS was acceptable to 45% of our sampled population, suggesting limited routine implementation in the NHS is possible. Convenience and reduction in hospital visits appeared to contribute to this acceptance. Half of the patients expressed concern regarding bilateral complications and such concerns need addressing. Some attitudes did appear to change during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The familiarity of the concept of ISBCS is low suggesting the need for patient education.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use among emergency eye care professionals in the UK during the COVID19 pandemic.

EEC staff were provided with rapidly changing personal PPE guidance by Public Health England (PHE) with specific subspecialty advice from the British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) UK during the COVID19 pandemic. BEECS undertook a baseline survey of its members after the initial response from the RCOphth 16/3/20 mirroring Public Health England (PHE) advice and a follow- up survey after the guidance was updated on 9/4/20. A combined total of 84 responses were received. Improvements after RCOphth changes between the two surveys from hospital respondents showed increases in temperature screening (13%), scrub use (34%), use of aprons (31%), masks (4%), eye protection (35%), gloves (25%) and slit lamp guard (1%). Our findings demonstrate a positive and significant adaptation of PPE in response to change in guidance published by PHE, RCOphth and BEECS between 16/3/20 and 11/4/20. The COVID19 pandemic has rapidly taken over the normal activity of Ophthalmic departments creating unprecedented challenges. Following initial confusion and vulnerability expressed by EEC professionals to PPE guidance, most Trusts appear to have adapted and are doing similar things. The response has been swift and effective as a result of good team work and early advice from BEECS and the RCOphth. On the whole, management teams are listening.