Patient Satisfaction With Videoconferencing-based Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders

Abstract

Objectives:The objectives of this study are (1) to compare the satisfaction between patients who have received treatment as usual face-to-face (TAU group) and patients who have received optional videoconferencing-based treatment for alcohol use disorders (TAU+I group); and (2) to elaborate on the TAU+I group’s satisfaction with the treatment in general and the technical equipment.Methods:The design consisted of mixed methods: a survey and a qualitative study. Data consisted of self-reported data from questionnaires filled out by both groups and semistructured interviews with the TAU+I group. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed statistically using Stata. The semistructured interviews were analyzed using a general inductive approach.Results:The survey indicated that the TAU+I group and TAU group were equally satisfied with the elements in the treatment. The interview indicated that the TAU+I group seemed to have a high satisfaction with most elements in the treatment. Patients who used videoconferencing were satisfied with establishing the videoconferencing connection and with the picture quality but less satisfied with the sound quality.Conclusions:Overall, the patients were satisfied with the treatment. We saw a nonsignificant tendency that the TAU+I group were more satisfied with the treatment in general, compared with the TAU group. It is a possibility that patients in this group felt more satisfied with the treatment as they had the opportunity to choose videoconferencing. Offering videoconferencing-based treatment may be a positive feature in the treatment and lead to improved outcomes of the treatment courses. The technical equipment and routine using it should be improved in future studies or during implementation.

Effectiveness of Optional Videoconferencing-Based Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders: Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The results of this study indicate that the offer of optional videoconferencing may prevent premature dropout, in which patients attend only the first couple of sessions and then drop out. One reason why patients in the TAU+I group had significantly fewer premature dropouts may have been that they were more satisfied with their treatment course, having been given the opportunity to choose (before each session) whether to receive treatment via videoconferencing [ 24 ]. This may have led to increased experiences of flexibility and autonomy, making the patients feel more empowered [ 23 ], which, in turn, may have prevented dropouts.…”

“…Similarly, a qualitative study nested within the RCT found that patients being offered videoconferencing may have experienced it as a means to enhance their autonomy and empowerment, with the ability to choose freely between the two formats having a positive impact on the treatment course [ 23 ]. Also, a mixed methods study linked to the RCT found that patients felt more satisfied with the treatment and prolonged their treatment courses when they had the opportunity to receive sessions via videoconferencing [ 24 ]. Therefore, it seems highly relevant to examine whether the opportunity of receiving all or some of the treatment course by means of videoconferencing can increase adherence to, and thereby the effectiveness of, AUD treatment.…”

Patient Satisfaction With Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment via Telemedicine: Brief Literature Review and Development of a New Assessment

“…We based our survey on characteristics of previously published patient satisfaction surveys, utilizing the following thematic categories to frame the patient's subjective experience: (i) communication; (ii) privacy; (iii) patient perceptions; and (iv) technology utilization. These categories represent areas on which to assess general satisfaction, and have been implemented in other arenas of research, including the delivery of general mental health services, telemedicine for alcohol use disorder, and telemedicine consultations for mental health disorders (36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42). In addition to those four thematic categories, our survey also includes a thematic category to capture (v) treatment access, pertinent to understanding patient satisfaction with the availability of care.…”

Patients' perceptions of telehealth services for outpatient treatment of substance use disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“… 17 Prior studies of patient perceptions of telehealth, specifically for SUD care, have shown high levels of patient satisfaction with telehealth treatment that are comparable with in‐person treatment. 4 , 18 , 19 However, the existing literature examining SUD care via telehealth is more limited than for other behavioral health conditions, and the quality of the evidence of these studies is variable. 4 Moreover, these studies typically examined a singular treatment modality, and the prior literature does not distinguish whether patients might have different perceptions of their experiences in telehealth care based on the type of SUD treatment service.…”