Patient Preferences Regarding Telemedicine to In-person Consultation: A Questionnaire-Based Survey

INTRODUCTION: Telemedicine has been evolving over the last two decades; however, with the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic, its utility and acceptance have drastically increased. Most studies report increasing acceptability and satisfaction rates. This study aimed to assess patient preferences regarding telemedicine to in-person consultations and to attempt to assess the factors driving these preferences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted for patients who had both teleconsultation and in-person consultation in the orthopedic outpatient. After obtaining consent to participate in the study, the patients were divided into broad clinical categories and responses were recorded regarding the treatment of illness by the doctor and opinions regarding telemedicine. Most questions were in yes/no or a Likert-based questionnaire. Mean, median, percentage and proportions were used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: The study group included 264 patients, with the majority with fractures and dislocations. Most patients (55.7%) were comfortable using the software for teleconsultation, and half the respondents found telemedicine convenient. A large percentage of the study group preferred in-person consultation to teleconsultation (58.7%), and the primary reasons for discontinuing teleconsultation were dissatisfaction during the interaction with the doctor and poor connectivity to telecommunication networks. CONCLUSION: Telecommunication has high acceptance and satisfaction, but many factors limit its acceptance in developing countries.