ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has modified liver disease-related care delivery with implementation of telemedicine, previously unavailable in safety net settings. We aimed to assess patient satisfaction with telemedicine for hepatology care (telehepatology) in vulnerable populations with fatty liver disease (FLD). Methods: From 06/01/2020-11/ 30/2021, 218 consecutive participants with non-alcoholic or alcohol-related FLD with or without advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis receiving care in hepatology clinics within the San Francisco safety net health care system were surveyed by phone or in person. Sociodemographic and clinical parameters were captured by self-report and through the electronic medical record. Satisfaction with telehepatology was measured using a Likert scale from 1-5 with 1 representing “very dissatisfied” and 5 representing “very satisfied”. Median time of survey assessment since onset of the pandemic (03/01/2020) was 60.3 (range 8.7-90.3) weeks. Alcohol use in the prior 12 months was categorized as none, moderate (#1 drink/day for women and #2 drinks/day for men), and heavy (>moderate). Severity of liver disease was assessed by liver biopsy (n=97), MR elastography (n=88), or presence of liver nodularity on abdominal imaging (n=33). Descriptive analyses were performed and multivariable models were used to assess factors associated with satisfaction with telehepatology, adjusting for age, sex, and time since pandemic onset. Results: Median participant age was 52 years, 62% were female;60% Hispanic, 20% Asian, 11% White, 3% Black, 6% other race/ethnicity;and 75% were non-English speakers. 37% used alcohol (23% had heavy alcohol use), 40% had diabetes, and 35% had advanced (stage 3-4) fibrosis/cirrhosis. 166 participants (76%) had received telemedicine care and 126 (58%) had telehepatology. Overall, 72% reported satisfaction (55% very satisfied) with telehepatology. A similar proportion of those with and without advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis were satisfied with telehepatology (70% vs 71%, p=1.0). Alcohol consumption (vs none) especially moderate use appeared to be associated with less satisfaction (Coef -1.1, p=0.004 for moderate use and Coef -0.5, p=0.2 for heavy use) but no other sociodemographic or clinical factors were associated with telehepatology satisfaction on multivariable analysis. Conclusions: In this diverse and vulnerable population, in which a significant proportion had advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis FLD, over 70% were satisfied with telehepatology. Importantly, alcohol use negatively impacted perceived satisfaction with telehepatology, suggesting that patients who use alcohol may benefit from adaptations to telemedicine care delivery. As vulnerable populations have known barriers to healthcare access, telehepatology represents an important modality for liver care, and has the potential for reducing health disparities.