Physician Perspectives about Telemedicine: Considering the Usability of Telemedicine in Response to COVID-19
Authors
Lee, Jennifer A.Di Tosto, Gennaro
McAlearney, Fiona A.
Miller, Steven
Mezoff, Ethan
Venkatesh, Rajitha D.
Huang, Jeannie
Lightdale, Jenifer R.
Volney, Jaclyn
McAlearney, Ann Scheck.
UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2021-04-14Keywords
telemedicinepediatric gastroenterology
COVID-19 pandemic
Gastroenterology
Infectious Disease
Pediatrics
Telemedicine
Virus Diseases
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Use of telemedicine in pediatric gastroenterology has increased dramatically in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this study was to systematically assess the usability of telemedicine in the field of pediatric gastroenterology. METHODS: The previously validated Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) was distributed to physician pediatric gastroenterologist members of NASPGHAN. Physician demographic and practice characteristics were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive, linear mixed effect and ordinary least squares regression methods. RESULTS: One hundred sixty pediatric gastroenterologists completed the survey. The majority were from academic practice (77%) with experience ranging from trainee (11%) to over 20 years clinical practice (34%). Most (82%) had no experience with telemedicine prior to the pandemic. The average usability score (scale 1-5) was 3.87 (sigma = 0.67) with the highest domain in usefulness of telemedicine (mu = 4.29, sigma = 0.69) and physician satisfaction (mu = 4.13, sigma = 0.79) and the lowest domain in reliability (mu = 3.02, sigma = 0.87). When comparing trainees to attending physicians, trainees' responses were almost 1 point lower on satisfaction with telemedicine (Trainee effect = -.97, Bonferroni adjusted 95% CI = -1.71 to -.23). CONCLUSION: Pediatric gastroenterologists who responded to the survey reported that the technology for telemedicine was usable, but trainees indicated lower levels of satisfaction when compared to attending physicians. Future study is needed to better understand user needs and the impacts of telemedicine on providers with different levels are experience to inform efforts to promote implementation and use of telemedicine beyond the pandemic.Source
Lee JA, Di Tosto G, McAlearney FA, Miller S, Mezoff E, Venkatesh RD, Huang J, Lightdale JR, Volney J, McAlearney AS. Physician Perspectives about Telemedicine: Considering the Usability of Telemedicine in Response to COVID-19. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2021 Apr 14. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003149. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33872292. Link to article on publisher's site
DOI
10.1097/MPG.0000000000003149Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/27435PubMed ID
33872292Related Resources
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1097/MPG.0000000000003149