Evaluating patient experience with in-person versus virtual vasectomy consultations

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Telemedicine
• Patient Experience

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic increased telehealth use for pre-vasectomy consultations.
• Previous studies suggest consultation type doesn't affect vasectomy completion rates.
• Patient experiences with virtual vs. in-person vasectomy consultations require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction, procedural experience, and consultation preferences after virtual or in-person pre-vasectomy consultations.
• To compare patient-reported outcomes between different consultation modalities.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 169 patients undergoing vasectomy between October 2022 and December 2023.
• Patients were offered either in-person or virtual consultations with consistent counseling.
• Post-procedure surveys assessed satisfaction, pain, consultation preference, and anxiolytic use.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in patient preference for alternate consultation types were found (P = 0.39).
• Pain ratings and comfort with vas manipulation were similar across both consultation groups (P = 0.21 and P = 0.17, respectively).
• Despite equal availability, most patients preferred in-person consultations, though virtual consultations did not compromise patient experience.

Conclusions:

• Virtual consultations for vasectomy are a viable option that does not compromise patient satisfaction or procedural experience.
• Healthcare providers can offer telehealth for pre-vasectomy consultations without negatively impacting patient outcomes.
• While in-person consultations remain preferred by most, virtual options provide equivalent safety and satisfaction.