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Patient preference for virtual versus in‐person visits in neuromuscular clinical practice.
- Source :
- Muscle & Nerve; Aug2022, Vol. 66 Issue 2, p142-147, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Introduction/Aims: It is unknown if patients with neuromuscular diseases prefer in‐person or virtual telemedicine visits. We studied patient opinions and preference on virtual versus in‐person visits, and the factors influencing such preferences. Methods: Telephone surveys, consisting of 11 questions, of patients from 10 neuromuscular centers were completed. Results: Five hundred and twenty surveys were completed. Twenty‐six percent of respondents preferred virtual visits, while 50% preferred in‐person visits. Sixty‐four percent reported physical interaction as "very important." For receiving a new diagnosis, 55% preferred in‐person vs 35% reporting no preference. Forty percent were concerned about a lack of physical examination vs 20% who were concerned about evaluating vital signs. Eighty four percent reported virtual visits were sufficiently private. Sixty eight percent did not consider expenses a factor in their preference. Although 92% were comfortable with virtual communication technology, 55% preferred video communications, and 19% preferred phone calls. Visit preference was not significantly associated with gender, diagnosis, disease severity, or symptom management. Patients who were concerned about a lack of physical exam or assessment of vitals had significantly higher odds of selecting in‐person visits than no preference. Discussion: Although neither technology, privacy, nor finance burdened patients in our study, more patients preferred in‐person visits than virtual visits and 40% were concerned about a lack of physical examination. Interactions that occur with in‐person encounters had high importance for patients, reflecting differences in the perception of the patient‐physician relationship between virtual and in‐person visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0148639X
- Volume :
- 66
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Muscle & Nerve
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 158082016
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.27641