Spine patients reported preference for in-person care compared with virtual care
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Although high ratings of patient care and experience can be achieved through both virtual and in-patient visits, results showed patients undergoing spine surgery favored in-person care, particularly for first-time appointments.
Harry M. Lightsey IV, MD, and colleagues had new and established patients seen virtually between March 2020 and September 2020 by one of five spine surgeons complete an online survey composed of Likert scale and free-response questions examining their use of and experience with telehealth. Researchers performed thematic analysis of free-form responses and constructed a thematic map.
Of the 791 spine patients seen virtually, Lightsey noted 457 patients had access to the online questionnaire, of whom 139 patients participated in the survey.
“Responders and non-responders were similar across key sociodemographic domains, and high levels of patient-rated care and patient-rated experience were observed for both in-person and telemedicine visits,” Lightsey said in his presentation at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting.
However, Lightsey noted patients rated in-person visits significantly higher for both patient-rated care and patient-rated experience. Patients had a preference for first-time in-person visits, but patients did not have a high preference for in-person follow-up visits, according to Lightsey. He added nearly 60% of patients reported being very satisfied with their telehealth visit.
“Both patient and clinical factors influenced perceptions of telemedicine,” Lightsey said. “Younger age and less difficulty with technology significantly correlated with higher levels of patient satisfaction. There was no correlation between minutes to prepare for visits or travel time to in-person appointments and patient satisfaction.”
Lightsey noted patients who underwent surgery during the data collection period reported higher ratings of telehealth compared with patients who did not have surgery or who had surgery prior to the data collection period.
Of the 113 patients who provided free-form responses, positive themes included access to care and convenience of telehealth visits for patients, while unfavorable themes included concerns about establishing rapport and the inability to conduct a physical examination, according to Lightsey.
“Patients also expressed concerns about still having to travel to obtain imaging and laboratory tests despite seeing their providers virtually,” Lightsey said. “Most participants expressed a desire to see their surgeons in person initially in order to facilitate a physical examination and to establish the physician-patient relationship.”
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Lightsey HM IV, et al. Paper 70. Presented at: North American Spine Society Annual Meeting. Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, 2021; Boston (hybrid meeting).
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