Telemedicine vs Office Visits in a Movement Disorders Clinic: Comparative Satisfaction of Physicians and Patients.

OBJECTIVE

To compare patient and physician satisfaction between home-based telemedicine visits and office visits for follow-up care within a movement disorders program.

METHODS

Patients were offered telemedicine visits as follow-up care. After telemedicine visits, a questionnaire of items along a 10-point Likert Scale (10 = most satisfied) assessed patient and overall physician satisfaction, comparing the experience to past in-office visits.

RESULTS

Patients and physicians were highly satisfied with the telemedicine experience, both groups having median endorsement scores of 9.25 and 10.0, respectively (response range 6-10), and furthermore, favoring future telemedicine visits when feasible. Although some assessments could not be performed (postural stability, rigidity), physicians likewise favored having future telemedicine visits (median score 10, range 5.0-10).

CONCLUSIONS

This direct comparison of patient satisfaction with telemedicine visits to previously experienced office visits strongly supports telemedicine care, with patients highlighting convenience, time, and expense. Despite some limitations with telemedicine, physicians expressed highly rated quality-of-service provided.