Novel Corona Virus Pandemic- 2019 and Patient Experience Comparing Telemedicine with Conventional Clinic Visit in Patients with Juvenile Idioapthic Arthritis and Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ABSTRACT

Purpose of Study The COVID-19 pandemic changed the physician- patient interaction. Telemedicine has emerged as the universal method of communication with patients. We compared conventional clinic visit (CCV) with telemedicine (TM) in clinic administered through video conferencing. Physician patient communication is key in determining treatment outcome and patient satisfaction in complex auto immune disease process including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (cSLE) and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Methods Used We performed a quality improvement project using a telephone questionnaire survey in rheumatology clinic at Valley Children's Healthcare. We surveyed 25 patients total. The respondents in the survey experienced both CCV before and during pandemic and TM during pandemic. Summary of Results Among the 25 patients surveyed 15 had JIA and 10 had cSLE. Among JIA patients 95% felt doctor was paying attention, able to make shared decision regarding the medications and treatment options. All the JIA and cSLE patients in the group felt that doctor listened and asked appropriate questions. Patients in both groups felt they were able to discuss all their problems and had a strong positive impact on the quality of care during the TM visit as compared with CCV. In cSLE group 70% felt shared decision making and ability to discuss their medical problem via TM was not as good as CCV. Conclusions This survey divulged patient perspective regarding clinic visit during pandemic. Telemedicine is preferred by 95% and 75% of the respondents over the conventional clinic visit during the pandemic among JIA and CSLE groups. The main concerns were breakdown of the physician-patient relationship and issues regarding the technologies with connectivity along with organizational challenges. Patients in both groups strongly agreed that TM met the need for their care compared to conventional clinic visit. Patients in the JIA group were satisfied with TM visit in handling complex medical problems and shared decision making. Patients in cSLE group preferred CCV especially in addressing complex medical issues and shared decision making.