Patient perspective of the implementation of virtual medicine in a post-kidney transplant clinic

ABSTRACT

Purpose: COVID-19 dramatically altered the model of health care delivery for transplant recipients, necessitating the routine use of virtual medicine. This resulted in consequences for patients and providers, with potential changes on the quality and cost of care. In this study, we present survey results examining the patient perspective of virtual follow-up care in a post-kidney transplant clinic across a large geographic area in Canada. Methods: Kidney transplant recipients followed in a multidisciplinary, posttransplant clinic in Vancouver, Canada were surveyed from April 21, 2020 - June 6, 2020, 4 weeks after the implementation of virtual medicine follow up. The survey included questions on the quality of instructions, ease of connection, quality of interaction with care provider, impact on their experience of care as well as time and cost required to attend clinic. Results: 46% of the 169 respondents were between the age of 40 and 59, while 34% were over the age of 60. 38% were within the first year following kidney transplant. The majority were satisfied with the virtual follow up model and thought the quality of the care was improved (Fig 1). 70% of respondents reported a transit time of more than 30 minutes to attend clinic, and 34% reported costs of > $30 per visit prior to the implementation of virtual medicine (Fig 2). Conclusions: Kidney transplant recipients were satisfied with the quality of care provided using a virtual medicine platform in this survey. The use of virtual medicine to provide care for patients decreased personal resources required to attend virtual clinics. Further study is required to determine if virtual medicine is an equally effective follow up modality in this patient population. (Table Presented).