Department of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, Lindleya 6, 90-131 Lodz, Poland.
Centre for Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcińskiego 20, 90-153 Lodz, Poland.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 24;19(11):6357. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116357.
With the proliferation of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, attention began to turn to the risk of health disparities associated with its use among people with disabilities. Therefore, the present study investigates the level of interest in using teleconsultations (TCs) in primary healthcare among people with visual impairments (PVIs) and identifies their motivations and needs. A total of 219 Polish PVIs were surveyed using a combination of closed and open questions. About 50% of the respondents expressed interest in using TCs. The factor most closely related to the willingness to use TCs was age. The predominant reason for using TCs was to obtain a prescription or referral, and the most highlighted need was the possibility to choose between a TC and an in-person visit. The blind and poor-sighted participants differed in some regards. Our study indicates that TCs, under some conditions, may be a beneficial option for PVIs, and provides some directions for its effective implementation.
在 COVID-19 大流行期间,远程医疗的普及引起了人们的关注,开始关注残疾人使用远程医疗带来的健康差异风险。因此,本研究调查了视力障碍者(PVI)对在初级保健中使用远程咨询(TC)的兴趣程度,并确定了他们的动机和需求。使用封闭和开放式问题相结合的方式,对 219 名波兰视力障碍者进行了调查。约有 50%的受访者表示有兴趣使用 TCs。与使用 TCs 的意愿最密切相关的因素是年龄。使用 TCs 的主要原因是获得处方或转诊,最突出的需求是能够在 TC 和面对面就诊之间进行选择。盲人和低视力参与者在某些方面存在差异。我们的研究表明,在某些条件下,TC 可能是 PVI 的有益选择,并为其有效实施提供了一些方向。