Patient Satisfaction Levels During Teleophthalmology Consultation in Rural South India

Abstract

The application of new technologies for analysis of retinal images, neural networks for automated retinopathy grading, and teleophthalmology have been shown to have great value in ophthalmology. India has only one ophthalmic surgeon for every 107,000 population. Given this situation, teleophthalmology can play a vital role in addressing to the eye care needs of the country. The objective of this study was to assess patient satisfaction levels and factors influencing it during teleophthalmology consultation in India. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was prepared to assess the prominent aspects of patient satisfaction, including teleophthalmology screening, confidence in the technology used to transfer the fundus images, comprehensiveness of information available to the doctor in the central hub, and graded the opinion regarding the teleophthalmology. A cross-sectional survey among patients who attended a teleophthalmology screening conducted across eight villages in rural Tamilnadu. Responses were then subjected to qualitative analysis and conclusions made. The number of respondents was 348. Of this, 56.4% were males. The mean age of was 50 +/- 17 years. Age ranged from 2 years to 83 years. 44.4% of the respondents were satisfied with teleophthalmology screening. (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.58%-49.42%) No association was found between age, gender, education, and occupation, respectively, with satisfaction levels. We found that patients who asked questions during the screening were 2.18 times more likely to be satisfied with teleophthalmology than those who did not (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19, 95% CI 1.37-3.5). This study highlights sentiments of the rural subjects when they underwent teleophthalmology consultations. This study provides valuable insights about patient's preferences and satisfaction levels with this newer technology.

Tele-diabetology to Screen for Diabetes and Associated Complications in Rural India

“…When they assessed patient satisfaction levels during teleophthalmology consultation, it was reported that patients who asked questions during the screening were 2.18 times more likely to be satisfied with teleophthalmology than those who did not. 20 The Sankara Nethralaya experience is described in greater detail in another article in this symposium. The Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey Research Group Study 18 showed that the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in rural south Indian population using tele-ophthalmology was 10.5%.…”

Patient Attitudes Toward Telemedicine for Diabetic Retinopathy

“…Patient satisfaction with DR telemedicine varies widely from 35% to 99%. [27][28][29][30][31] But patient satisfaction does not measure patients' underlying beliefs. It is essential to engage patients to understand their attitudes, concerns, and perceptions before wide-scale implementation.…”

Teleophthalmology in Diabetic Retinopathy

“…Other studies from around the world have also shown similar preferences for the use of teleophthalmology as screening tool for future ophthalmic screenings. Paul et al 19 in India found that 38% of patients found teleophthalmology more satisfying, whereas 60% felt that both models were equally satisfying.…”