Original Research Article
Patients’ perceptions on the long-term acceptability of telemedicine in outpatient medical consultations, and its impact on quality of healthcare delivery and some socioeconomic indices in Northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada
Hisham Elshoni1, Abigail Barker2 and Paul Acheampong1*
1Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Victoria Hospital, 1200 – 24th Street West, Prince Albert, SK. S6V 5T4. Canada.
2Department of Arts and Science, St Michael’s College, University of Toronto
*Corresponding Author Email: p.acheampong1(at)yahoo.com
Tel.:+1 306 941 9799
Fax: +1 306 764 3091
Hisham Elshoni |
Abigail Barker |
Paul Acheampong |
Article Number: irjpeh.21.025 | Pages: 248-252 | Vol. 8 (4), July 2021 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.15739/irjpeh.21.025
Received: May 4, 2012 Accepted: June 21, 2021 Published: July 9, 2021
Abstract
Patients’ perspectives are crucial in promoting changes in healthcare accessibility through telemedicine, particularly in rural areas. This study looked at patients’ perceptions of the long-term acceptability of virtual consultations, as well as their impact on healthcare quality and socioeconomic indices in Northeastern Saskatchewan. Following ethics board permission, a questionnaire was distributed to patients in Saskatchewan following virtual consultations. SPSS was used to analyse the data, which included descriptive and inference statistics. The responses of 507 patients were examined. 95 % of virtual consultations were conducted over the phone. The majority of patients regarded the scheduling of consultations to be convenient; nevertheless, 4% expressed privacy and confidentiality issues. 85% of respondents intend to reuse or suggest the service since their healthcare needs were addressed. Two-thirds of responders engage in clinical self-monitoring, which improves healthcare quality. The proportion of people and time off work decreased dramatically, from 48 to 10% and 150 to 38 minutes, respectively. Travel savings and lost productive time are expected to be 196,246 kilometres and 1,416 hours per year, respectively. Virtual consultation meets the healthcare needs of the majority of users who intend to use it in the long term, though challenges with potential breaches in privacy/confidentiality must be addressed. It encourages patient participation, which improves healthcare quality. Socioeconomic savings are substantial.
Keywords:
Virtual care, patient survey, long-term acceptability, quality of healthcare, socioeconomic impact
How to Cite this Article
Patients’ perceptions on the long-term acceptability of telemedicine in outpatient medical consultations, and its impact on quality of healthcare delivery and some socioeconomic indices in Northeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. Int. Res. J. Pub. Environ. Health 8(4):248-252.
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