An assessment of parental satisfaction with mode of delivery of specialist advice for paediatric cardiology: Face-to-face versus videoconference

Abstract

Comparisons of parental satisfaction were made after specialist paediatric cardiology consultations were conducted either by conventional face-to-face delivery or telemedicine. Satisfaction statements were rated by 100 parents: 20 who experienced telemedicine; 56 with new children seen in the outreach clinics; 24 with children on review whose next appointment was at the specialist centre. There was general satisfaction with both types of consultations, but significant differences were noted. Those who had videoconferences felt that they had received an explanation about how the specialist advice would be obtained, and that they could see the pictures being discussed clearly. Those who had experienced telemedicine believed that teleconsultations could save them travelling time and money and they found the technical aspects of sound and picture quality acceptable. They were not discomforted by the technology and felt reassured by the consultation with the specialist. However, there was some ambivalence towards the statements suggesting that teleconsultations could take the place of conventional face-to-face consultations.

Telemedicine in Pediatric Cardiology: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

“…[97][98][99] This approach improved access, was cost-neutral, and was appreciated by patients. 100 The authors stressed that this approach supplemented, but would not replace, regularly scheduled outreach clinics. Successful sites had dedicated clinical champions and were designed by local clinicians to meet their specific needs.…”

Defining Dimensions of Patient Satisfaction with Telemedicine: An Analysis of Existing Measurement Instruments

“…Patient satisfaction may be high for some aspects of care. Yet satisfaction may not be high for other aspects or be enough for patients to consider telemedicine as a replacement for face to face visits [22]. Further a lack of consistency can make results difficult to compare [23].…”

“…Telemedicine may not be perceived as a replacement for traditional care [52]. As satisfaction can differ between telemedicine services and other forms of health care it should be considered in relationship to telemedicine services [22].…”

A paediatric telecardiology service for district hospitals in south-east England: an observational study

“…They perceived that the availability of a telemedicine service would reduce waiting times for new appointments for asymptomatic children who normally were seen in an outreach clinic. For symptomatic patients, the service minimised the need for children to travel to London 20. As both the outreach clinics and the teleconferences were held in the DGHs, there was no parental cost advantage associated with the alternative referral methods 16…”