Older people's perceptions of teleconsultation via telephone during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

• Autor(a) principal: Araújo,Lara Miguel Quirino
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Vieira,Nádia Vitorino, Vieira,Ana Cristina Gonçalves, Costa,Luciana Alves da, Samartini,Raquel Spindola, Cândido,Viviane Cristina
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Geriatrics, Gerontology and Aging (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://ggaging.com/details/1797
• topic: telemedicine; teleconsultation; remote consultation; COVID-19; qualitative research.

<p><b>OBJECTIVES:</b> In March/2020, our geriatric outpatient clinic implemented teleconsultation via telephone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to understand older patients' perceptions of this experience through their narratives. <br> <b>METHODS:</b> A qualitative study with Thematic Oral History and thematic analysis. We conducted open-ended interviews in which older patients narrated their perceptions of this experience. <br> <b>RESULTS:</b> Twelve patients were interviewed from December/2021 to January/2022, and 2 themes emerged: older patients' experience of teleconsultation and possibilities and challenges of telemedicine. Some patients did not identify the call as a teleconsultation. Regarding possibilities, patients reported satisfaction and convenience in specific circumstances. As for challenges, patients reported concerns about the effectiveness of communication and need for physical examination. <br> <b>CONCLUSION:</b> Teleconsultation is well accepted, as long as situations that require face-to-face interactions are considered. Considering person-centered medicine, listening to the narratives of older people contributes to a better structuring of telemedicine services in geriatrics.</p>