User perceptions of COVID-19 telemedicine testing services, disease risk, and pandemic preparedness: findings from a private clinic in Hong Kong
Publication in refereed journal
CUHK Authors
Full Text
View Full-text in CUHK Digital Object Identifier (DOI) |
Altmetrics Information
.
Other information
AbstractIntroduction: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telemedicine has been regarded as a method for providing safe access to healthcare. Here, we explored the experiences of individuals using telemedicine in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand their risk perceptions and preparedness measures.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of telemedicine users of private clinic-based COVID-19 testing services from 6 April to 11 May 2020. All users were invited to complete an anonymous online survey regarding COVID-19 risk perception and preparedness measures. The results of the survey were compared with the findings of a previous territory-wide survey.
Results: In total, 141 of 187 telemedicine users agreed to participate; the response rate was 75.4%. Of the participants, 95.1% (116/122) believed that telemedicine consultations were useful. Nearly half of the participants (49.0%) agreed or strongly agreed that telemedicine consultations were appropriate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most participants believed that telemedicine consultations could perform the functions of 'health protection, promotion and disease prevention' (73.6%) and 'diagnosis' (64.0%). Concerning the choice of telemedicine provider, almost all participants (99.2%) were willing to consult medical doctors; more than half of the participants (54.1%) were willing to consult registered nurses, but only 13.1% were willing to consult non-clinical staff who had been trained to provide telemedicine services.
Conclusion: The use of telemedicine for screening and patient education can be encouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of telemedicine users of private clinic-based COVID-19 testing services from 6 April to 11 May 2020. All users were invited to complete an anonymous online survey regarding COVID-19 risk perception and preparedness measures. The results of the survey were compared with the findings of a previous territory-wide survey.
Results: In total, 141 of 187 telemedicine users agreed to participate; the response rate was 75.4%. Of the participants, 95.1% (116/122) believed that telemedicine consultations were useful. Nearly half of the participants (49.0%) agreed or strongly agreed that telemedicine consultations were appropriate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most participants believed that telemedicine consultations could perform the functions of 'health protection, promotion and disease prevention' (73.6%) and 'diagnosis' (64.0%). Concerning the choice of telemedicine provider, almost all participants (99.2%) were willing to consult medical doctors; more than half of the participants (54.1%) were willing to consult registered nurses, but only 13.1% were willing to consult non-clinical staff who had been trained to provide telemedicine services.
Conclusion: The use of telemedicine for screening and patient education can be encouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong.
All Author(s) ListKevin KC Hung, Emily YY Chan, Eugene SK Lo, Zhe Huang, Justin CY Wu, Colin Alexander Graham
Journal nameHong Kong Medical Journal
Year2023
Month10
Volume Number29
Issue Number5
PublisherHong Kong Academy of Medicine Press
Place of PublicationHong Kong
Pages404 - 411
ISSN1024-2708
LanguagesEnglish-United Kingdom