ABSTRACT
Gaps in complex oncology care coordination between inpatient and outpatient settings can result in treatment and monitoring delays and omissions, which can negatively affect patient outcomes. Gaps also exist for patients facing complex treatment modalities and collaborations between multiple care teams working at geographically distant sites. A pilot advanced practice nurse care coordinator (APNCC) role to coordinate these complex care transitions and implement processes for safer and more efficient care has shown promise.â©.
Subject(s)
Advanced Practice Nursing/organization & administration , Nurse Practitioners/organization & administration , Nurse's Role , Oncology Nursing/organization & administration , Transitional Care/organization & administration , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this quality improvement project is to assess patient satisfaction with a store-and-forward teledermatology project and to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction and dissatisfaction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Veterans receiving care in rural clinics in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed using a 5-point Likert scale about satisfaction with face-to-face care for a skin complaint prior to any teledermatology exposure. One year later, veterans in the same rural clinics were surveyed about satisfaction with teledermatology care using a more comprehensive survey. Ninety-six patients completed the face-to-face satisfaction survey questions, and 501 completed the teledermatology satisfaction survey. RESULTS: Most (78%) of surveyed patients were highly satisfied or satisfied with face-to-face dermatology care. After 1 year of teledermatology, 77% of patients were highly satisfied or satisfied with teledermatology care. The mean patient satisfaction score for teledermatology was equivalent to face-to-face care (4.1±1.2 and 4.3±1.0, p=0.4). Factors associated with teledermatology patient satisfaction included short wait times for initial consultation, a perception that the initial wait time was not too long, a perception that the skin condition was properly treated, and the belief that adequate follow-up was received. Factors associated with teledermatology patient dissatisfaction included perceptions that the skin condition was not properly treated and that inadequate follow-up was received. CONCLUSIONS: Teledermatology was widely accepted by the majority of patients receiving care at rural clinics. Patient satisfaction with care received through teledermatology was equivalent to that with face-to-face dermatology.
