Posted: March 31st, 2023

Telehealth/Telemedicine: Enhancing Access to Care and Patient Satisfaction

Telehealth/Telemedicine: Enhancing Access to Care and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Objective: This comprehensive systematic review aims to assess the impact of telehealth and telemedicine on improving access to care and enhancing patient satisfaction across various healthcare services, encompassing periods before, during, and potentially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design: Systematic literature review.
Methods: This review spanned from January to February 2022 and involved thorough searches across databases including National University Smart Search, EBSCO Host, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The publication range was 2008 to 2022. After database retrieval, articles were selected based on abstract and results evaluations. Chosen articles were further examined by analyzing complete texts to address research queries.
Results: The amassed evidence from articles examined underscores the vital role of telehealth and telemedicine in expanding access to care and elevating satisfaction levels. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, these technologies exhibited unparalleled deployment, ensuring uninterrupted care delivery for diverse services.
Conclusion: Telehealth/Telemedicine emerges as a potent force in broadening care access and fostering high patient satisfaction. It holds potential to contribute to public health, alleviate healthcare workforce pressures, and alleviate financial burdens for many.

Keywords: Telehealth, Telemedicine, Barriers, Access to Care, Patient Satisfaction

Acknowledgment

Original content composed by the authors.

Dedication

Personalized text.

List of Tables

Table 1. Reviewed Article Compilation 51

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments iii
List of Tables v
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1
Background of the Problem 2
Problem Statement 2
Research Inquiry 2
Significance of the Study 3
CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 5
Patients’ Satisfaction and Preference for Telehealth Visits 5
Virtual Visits and Patient-Centered Care 6
Patient and Caregivers’ Satisfaction with Telehealth 6
Home Telehealth, Patient Satisfaction, Functions and Challenges 7
Military Health System Access to Care: Performance and Perceptions 8
Telehealth and Patient Satisfaction: A Systematic Review and Narrative Analysis 9
Acceptability and Cost-Effectiveness of Military Telehealth Mental Health Screening 10
CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY 11
Introduction 11
Research Question 11
Instrumentation 11
Ethical Considerations 12
CHAPTER 4. DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND RESULTS 13
Introduction 13
Data Collection Procedures 13
Data Analysis and Results 14
Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic 14
During COVID-19 Pandemic 15
CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 16
Introduction 16
Limitations 19
Conclusions 19
Recommendations for Further Study 20
REFERENCES 21
APPENDIX A: ARTICLE SELECTION PROCESS 24
APPENDIX B. SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW 25

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
Modern healthcare is experiencing dynamic transformations driven not only by advancements in medical practices, but also by innovative communication technologies. The relevance of telehealth services is more pronounced than ever (CDC, 2020). Health professionals require the means to provide remote care and collaborate securely in real-time (McMahon & Duncan, n.d.). The upsurge in telemedicine consultations, a 700% increase in 2015, and consumer preference for telehealth-equipped doctors attest to its importance (McMahon & Duncan, n.d.). In the military, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) embraced telehealth intensively to ensure continuous care access amidst the pandemic (MHS, 2020b). Changes were introduced, including audio-only telephone visits, incentivizing network providers for telehealth, and waiving cost-sharing for telehealth users (MHS, 2020b). Telehealth, instrumental in COVID-19 preventive measures, offers screening, care, therapy, monitoring, and follow-up services (CDC, 2020).

Background of the Problem
Access to care stands as a critical metric for patient satisfaction in healthcare systems (MHS, 2020a). Factors like parking, distance, and appointment lead times contribute to perceived poor access (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Remote areas consistently face access challenges due to distance and limited medical personnel (Abiero et al., 2020). The military, with its rotating healthcare staff, necessitates efficient access solutions (Abiero et al., 2020).

Problem Statement
In the evolving healthcare landscape, telehealth emerged as a potent response to access issues and enhanced patient experiences, especially during the pandemic. Evaluating the effectiveness of telehealth in addressing access barriers and enhancing patient satisfaction is paramount.

Research Inquiry
This study addresses: How effectively does Telehealth/Telemedicine tackle access challenges and boost patient satisfaction, spanning pre, during, and potentially post-pandemic? What barriers and additional benefits are associated with its implementation?

Significance of the Study
Telemedicine empowers remote patient care, offering diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, thereby enhancing access and patient satisfaction (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Studies highlight patient preference for telehealth, its role in patient-centered care, and satisfaction in rural areas (Polinski et al., 2016; McGrail et al., 2017; Orlando et al., 2019). For military care, telehealth enhances access and readiness (Young et al., 2011; Abiero et al., 2020). Recognizing these facets, this research contributes to the effective utilization of telehealth to bridge access gaps and bolster patient satisfaction.