Acceptability and Satisfaction of Patients and Providers With Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Infectious Diseases
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted traditional healthcare delivery.
• Telemedicine emerged as a critical tool for maintaining healthcare access during lockdowns.
• Understanding patient and provider satisfaction is crucial for effective telemedicine implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient and healthcare provider satisfaction with telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify factors influencing satisfaction and barriers to telemedicine adoption.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar.
• Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Literature Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.
• Published literature on patient and provider satisfaction with telemedicine was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Patients reported high satisfaction with telemedicine, citing convenience and cost savings.
• Providers expressed general satisfaction but were less satisfied than patients due to technical issues and document transmission difficulties.
• Lack of provider compensation and a perception of telemedicine being for emergencies only were identified barriers.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine offers significant potential to enhance healthcare access and efficiency.
• Addressing technical challenges, reimbursement issues, and defining the appropriate scope of telemedicine are essential for its successful integration.
• Findings can inform future healthcare policies to optimize telemedicine use and satisfaction for both patients and providers.