Asthma reviews post Covid-19 face to face vs telemedicine; patient choice and perception (ID 354)

Rasheed R, Zarif A, Nazir I, Mahmod A, Bibi H, Patel A, Young L

Research & Medical Education, Chapel Street Surgery, Rigg Milner Medical Centre & Corringham Health Clinic, Tilbury, United King

Funding: None

Abstract

Aim
During the COVID-19 pandemic many service lines underwent a transformation. Within a short space of time, asthma reviews were transformed from face-to-face to telemedicine consultations. As COVID-19 regulations are relaxing we undertook a patient survey to understand patients needs and their perception of telemedicine appointments.

Method
407 patients with a diagnosis of asthma were surveyed by telephone. They were asked their preference of review face-to-face vs telemedicine appointments and if they felt either method could potentially compromise their care.

Results
Of the practice of 11000 patients 451 patients had asthma (prevalence 6.2% vs national prevalence 6%.
Patients preference of tele-medicine reviews 261 out of 407 (64%). These were younger patients who self-monitored peak flows and cited convenience flexibility ease of access.
The older patient, and those who are younger with poorly controlled asthma and with communication difficulties language barriers 127 out of 407 (31%) preferred traditional face-to-face reviews

Conclusion:
Understanding patient preference and needs are necessary to deliver patient centred care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many surgeries were able to transform their services to telemedicine, but we found this could not be the preferred method for some patient groups. We advocate recording patient preference on the patient record and conscious engagement with patients to enable their needs to be met. We would like to study this group to find out if video consultations would provide the same patient satisfaction vs face to face reviews which is the subject of our next study.

Conflicts of interest: None

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