PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH TELEMEDICINE VISITS FOR REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY PATIENTS IN THE ERAOF COVID-19

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, video-based telemedicine visits have become the standard in many clinical practices. Many reproductive endocrinology consultations do not require a physical exam, allowing for integration of telemedicine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient satisfaction with telemedicine visits in the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) office. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study that includes any person undergoing a new patient visit at Washington University's Reproductive Endocrinology clinic from March 1st-April 20th 2021. After the visit, patients were contacted via telephone to obtain consent to participate in an online one-time research survey. A link was sent to their email with the survey through RedCap secure web application. The survey is 25 questions which includes the telehealth usability questionnaire (TUQ) survey, a previously published tool to evaluate usability and quality of telehealth interaction, along with questions specific to the REI clinic and the participation of learners during visits. Baseline patient demographics including age, race/ethnicity, BMI, distance from clinic, and recommended treatment were collected. RESULTS: 117 participants were contacted, 78% (n=91) agreed to participate in the study, and 45% (n=41) completed the survey. There were no significant differences in age, BMI, distance from clinic or length of infertility with response to survey. 92.5% responders would use telemedicine services again and were satisfied with the telehealth system. Telehealth improved access to healthcare for 82.5% and travel time for 95%. The mean distance from clinic was 76 miles, and there was no significance difference in satisfaction with telemedicine services (p=0.46) or perceived access to healthcare services (p= 0.43) between those living closer or further than 76 miles. Those living further also had no preference for telemedicine visits over in person visits (p=0.134). CONCLUSIONS: In the era of COVID-19, healthcare implementation has dramatically changed with a drastic increase in telemedicine services. Based on our survey, majority of patients were satisfied with telemedicine visits and believed it saved travel time while improving access to REI care. Despite no differences in patient preference for in person versus telemedicine depending on their distance from clinic, this finding is reassuring because patients are satisfied with telemedicine for reasons other than distance from clinic. IMPACT STATEMENT Patient satisfaction surveys demonstrate the feasibility of using telemedicine services for new-patient visits to provide quality care to patients who perceive telemedicine similar to in-person visits. Given the wide acceptance of telemedicine, reimbursement by insurance companies should continue when the pandemic is over.