Understanding the telehealth experience of care by people with ILD during the COVID-19 pandemic: what have we learnt?
BMC Pulm Med
; 23(1): 113, 2023 Apr 06.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2284129
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid transformation of health services. This study aimed to understand the experiences of healthcare by people with interstitial lung disease (ILD), to inform future service delivery.METHODS:
Four specialist clinics in tertiary centres in Australia (Victoria2 sites; New South Wales 1 site; Western Australia 1 site) recruited patients with ILD during an 8-week period from March 2021. Participants completed a COVID-specific questionnaire focused on health-related experiences during 2020.RESULTS:
Ninety nine (65% of 153) participants completed the questionnaire. 47% had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or connective tissue disease-associated ILD, 62% were female and the average age was 66 years. Whilst 56% rated their overall health in 2020 as the same as months prior, 38% indicated a worsening in health attributed to reduced physical activity and fear of contracting the virus. Access to healthcare professionals was 'good' in 61%, and 'fair-to-poor' for 37% due to missed respiratory assessments, with telehealth (mainly telephone) being perceived as less effective. 89% had contact with respiratory physicians, 68% with general practitioners, predominantly via telephone, with few video consultations. High satisfaction with care was reported by 78%, with lower satisfaction attributed to delays in assessments, disruption to usual services such as pulmonary rehabilitation, and dissatisfaction with telehealth.CONCLUSION:
People with ILD were generally satisfied with their care during 2020, however reduced access to healthcare professionals was challenging for those experiencing a deterioration in health. Telehealth was largely well received but did not always meet the needs of people with ILD particularly when unwell.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Telemedicine
/
Lung Diseases, Interstitial
/
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
BMC Pulm Med
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S12890-023-02396-6
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