Original Research Paper

Patient's Experience Of Tele-medicine During Covid-19 Pandemic In A Tertiary Care Centre In North India: A Telephonic Survey

Abstract :

Aim: Unprecedented situation of COVID 19 pandemic and measures to contain spread of the disease has expanded the horizon of health care delivery utilizing the telemedicine into the clinical practice. To understand the patients preferences for future incorporation of tele-medicine practice into the health care system, we conducted a survey via tele-phone/WhatsApp. Subject and Methods: A structured survey questionnaire was administered via tele-phone/WhatsApp to patients attending telemedicine consultation.Results: Total 463 patients participated in the survey .Participants having favourable atti-tude was 237 (51.3%) and not in favour were 225 (48.7%). Among the respondents ,the most common reason to choose Telemedicine was due to COVID 19 risk(70%), whereas mone-tary benefits were reported by only 2 % of respondents . 297 respondents were of the opin-ion that they will continue to use tele-consultation services even after the pandemic .Conclusion: Patients reported satisfactory response using telemedicine during COVID 19 pandemic, but felt the need of physical examination at least during first consultation. Tele-medicine may be suitable for screening, medium-term and long -term follow up. Easy and cheap availability of internet is also an issue particularly in low income and rural popula-tion.

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