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. 2021 Jun;39(6):1991-1996.
doi: 10.1007/s00345-020-03432-4. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Preliminary assessment of patient and physician satisfaction with the use of teleconsultation in urology during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ugo Pinar  1 , Julien Anract  1 , Ophélie Perrot  1 , Thomas Tabourin  1 , Emmanuel Chartier-Kastler  1 , Jerome Parra  1 , Christophe Vaessen  1 , Alexandre de La Taille  2 , Morgan Roupret  3
Affiliations

Preliminary assessment of patient and physician satisfaction with the use of teleconsultation in urology during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ugo Pinar et al. World J Urol. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic compelled urologists to change access to healthcare, especially for oncology patients. Teleconsultation is a safe way to receive medical advice without a risk of infection, and was implemented urgently in our academic centres. Our purpose was to evaluate patient and physician satisfaction with teleconsultation set up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: From March 16th 2020, all face-to-face consultations were cancelled in France, except for emergencies. Teleconsultation was started immediately by five senior urologists in two academic hospitals. All patients received an email survey including the validated Teleconsultation Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) and demographic questions. Data were collected prospectively. Physicians also responded to the TSQ. Patient satisfaction was measured objectively with the validated 14-item TSQ. Each item was scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Factors associated with positive satisfaction with teleconsultation were assessed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 105 patients replied to the survey (91.3%). Median age was 66 years (IQR: 55‒71) and 95 were men (90.5%). Median overall TSQ score was 67 (IQR: 60‒69); teleconsultation was judged to be a good experience by 88 patients (83.8%) and four physicians (80%). Patients who met their surgeon for the first time were more likely to have a good experience (OR = 1.2 [95% CI 1.1‒1.5], p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Introduced rapidly during the COVID-19 lockdown, urology teleconsultation attained a high level of satisfaction among both patients and physicians. A major change in telemedicine use is foreseen in the post COVID-19 era.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Telemedicine; Urology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Details and reasons for the teleconsultations. Most of the consultation led were for urological follow-up (n = 72, 68%) in the field of oncology (n = 46, 44%). Overall 24 patients (23%) underwent their first consultation with their urologist
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