Advancing ocular oncology care through teleophthalmology: a patient-centric perspective

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Telemedicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Patient satisfaction is crucial for evaluating healthcare program efficacy and quality.
• Teleophthalmology offers a novel approach to delivering specialized care, particularly in ocular oncology.
• Remote assessments and follow-ups can enhance patient access and convenience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction with a specialized teleophthalmology program for ocular oncology.
• To assess the program's effectiveness in screening, remote assessment, care planning, and follow-up.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective survey was conducted using an adapted Telehealth Satisfaction Scale.
• The survey included 8 standard questions and 5 specific to the teleophthalmology program.
• T-tests were used to analyze satisfaction differences across demographics and visit numbers.

Main Results:

• A high response rate (96%) was achieved with 91 out of 95 patients surveyed.
• Patients reported high overall satisfaction with a mean score of 28.88 out of 32.
• No significant differences in satisfaction were found based on age, residence, or number of visits.

Conclusions:

• Patients in an ocular oncology teleophthalmology program report high satisfaction levels.
• The program effectively meets patient healthcare needs through remote consultations and telephone communication.
• Satisfaction remains high irrespective of patient age, geographic location, or number of telemedicine appointments.