Perceptions of Telemedicine Among Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Patients and Healthcare Providers.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to assess perceptions of telemedicine among physical medicine and rehabilitation patients and healthcare providers.

DESIGN

A 28-question online survey was conducted. Patients had to be 18 yrs or older who used telemedicine for a physical medicine and rehabilitation visit. Providers had to be a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation provider who has used telemedicine in their practice.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients and 46 providers completed the survey. Patients and providers reported an intention to continue using telemedicine, regardless of insurance coverage/reimbursement. Patients and providers reported circumstances, such as needing a physical examination or a first-time visit, as being preferable for an in-person visit. Patients who were younger or a caretaker were more likely to report being willing to change providers if telemedicine was no longer offered than older or noncaretaker patients. Patients who made less than $30,000 annually or who did not own a car were more likely to report comfortability with telemedicine than patients who made more than $30,000 annually or who owned a car.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemedicine will continue as a staple of physical medicine and rehabilitation health care and is a particularly important resource for patients who are younger, caretakers, make less than $30,000 annually, or do not own a car.