Teleophthalmology and COVID-19: the patient perspective

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Oculoplastic services faced disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Reconfiguration of services was necessary to maintain patient care.
• Teleconsultations emerged as a key adaptation strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient satisfaction with teleconsultations in oculoplastic services.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of telephone and video consultations.
• To understand patient preferences for future consultation models.

Main Methods:

• Oculoplastic patients at a UK district general hospital utilized teleconsultations (telephone/video).
• Patient feedback surveys were collected and analyzed.
• Consultation duration and patient satisfaction scores were recorded.

Main Results:

• High patient satisfaction was reported for both telephone (71.3%) and video (72.5%) consultations.
• A significant majority felt in-person reviews would not alter outcomes (55% telephone, 82.5% video).
• Older patients (>65 years) showed a preference for regular face-to-face reviews.

Conclusions:

• Teleconsultation adaptations in oculoplastic services are well-supported by patients.
• There is a clear opportunity to integrate and improve teleconsultation services.
• Telemedicine can meet current and future demands, aligning with social distancing measures.