Patient satisfaction with a teleradiology service in general practice

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Health Services Research
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Geographic barriers often limit patient access to essential secondary healthcare services.
• Decentralizing diagnostic tools and treatments to primary care settings can enhance accessibility.
• Assessing patient satisfaction is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of such healthcare models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction with a novel teleradiology facility integrated into primary care.
• To assess patient perceptions of technical and interpersonal skills in teleradiology consultations.
• To identify patient characteristics associated with satisfaction levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted on Ameland, an island in the Netherlands.
• A questionnaire, based on the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire III, was administered to patients receiving X-rays in primary care.
• Statistical analysis, including ANOVA, was used to compare satisfaction scores across different patient demographics.

Main Results:

• A response rate of 65% was achieved from 587 patients.
• High satisfaction scores were reported for both technical (22.4 ± 3.7) and interpersonal (26.8 ± 3.8) skills.
• Island residents, elderly patients, and those without a trauma history reported higher satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• The teleradiology service provided in primary care on Ameland was highly satisfactory for patients.
• This model effectively addresses accessibility challenges for remote populations.
• Patient-centered evaluation confirms the viability of teleradiology in primary care settings.