1 School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
2 Centre for Research Excellence in Telehealth, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
J Telemed Telecare. 2018 Aug;24(7):445-452. doi: 10.1177/1357633X17706605. Epub 2017 Apr 27.
Introduction Access to specialised multidisciplinary healthcare services is difficult for many patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. A possible solution could be delivery of care via telehealth. This study aims to identify current barriers in accessing healthcare services, and to determine if telehealth is an acceptable mode of healthcare delivery, from the perspective of patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Methods Surveys were distributed to current patients receiving care within the Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multidisciplinary Service (N/OPSC & MDS) at six facilities throughout Queensland, Australia. The 48-item survey evaluated five key areas including demographics; current barriers to attendance; satisfaction with current management provided by the N/OPSC & MDS; technology access and literacy; and attitudes and preference towards telehealth. Results In total, 85 patients (71%) completed the survey. The majority of patients were satisfied overall with the N/OPSC & MDS, but almost one-quarter of the patients reported ceasing treatment due to difficulty accessing services. Over half of the respondents were willing to use telehealth if it reduced the costs (53%) and time (57%) associated with attending appointments. Patients in paid employment were more likely (65%) to use telehealth if it reduced work absenteeism. Overall, 78% of patients were identified as having appropriate technology access to enable home telehealth. Specifically, 43% of patients would prefer home telehealth over having to travel to attend their appointments. Discussion The majority of N/OPSC & MDS patients are willing to engage in telehealth for the management of their chronic musculoskeletal condition. These findings justify consideration of telehealth as an additional method of service delivery within the existing N/OPSC & MD service.
简介
对于许多患有慢性肌肉骨骼疾病的患者来说，获得专业的多学科医疗服务是困难的。一种可能的解决方案是通过远程医疗提供护理。本研究旨在从慢性肌肉骨骼疾病患者的角度确定获得医疗服务的当前障碍，并确定远程医疗是否是一种可接受的医疗服务提供模式。
方法
在澳大利亚昆士兰州的六个地点的神经外科和骨科物理治疗筛查诊所和多学科服务（N/OPSC & MDS）中，向正在接受治疗的现有患者分发了 48 项调查。该调查评估了五个关键领域，包括人口统计学；目前就诊的障碍；对 N/OPSC & MDS 提供的当前管理的满意度；技术访问和读写能力；以及对远程医疗的态度和偏好。
结果
共有 85 名患者（71%）完成了调查。大多数患者对 N/OPSC & MDS 总体上感到满意，但近四分之一的患者因难以获得服务而停止治疗。超过一半的受访者表示，如果远程医疗可以降低就诊费用（53%）和时间（57%），他们愿意使用远程医疗。如果远程医疗可以减少工作缺勤（65%），则有薪就业的患者更有可能使用远程医疗。总体而言，78%的患者被认为有适当的技术访问权限来实现家庭远程医疗。具体来说，43%的患者更愿意选择家庭远程医疗，而不是必须前往就诊。
讨论
大多数 N/OPSC & MDS 患者愿意接受远程医疗来管理他们的慢性肌肉骨骼疾病。这些发现证明了考虑将远程医疗作为现有 N/OPSC & MD 服务的额外服务提供方式是合理的。
