Patients' satisfaction with remote asthma medical follow-up before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic enforced the change of healthcare services, favoring the use of remote consultations. Objective: To assess the differences in asthma medical follow-up before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate patients' satisfaction regarding remote consultations Methods: Cross-sectional, observational, web-based study including 335 Portuguese patients with self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma. The survey was available between February and May 2021 and included questions about patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and follow-up (consultations' type and satisfaction in 2019 and 2020). Satisfaction was assessed using 10 statements on different aspects of patient experience (Likert scale 1-5), with a total score between 10 and 50. Results: The 335 patients included had a median [P25-P75] age of 27[21-43] years and 75% had uncontrolled asthma. Overall, fewer participants had consultations during the pandemic compared to 2019 (161 vs 185; p<0.001). Most patients had ≥1 face-to-face consultation both in 2020 and 2019 (131 vs 184; p<0.001). In 2020, there was an increase in the proportion of participants reporting ≥1 remote (telephonic plus video) consultation (40% vs 3%; p<0.001). This increase was mainly attributed to the use of telephonic consultation (38% vs video 3%, p<0.001). Patients' satisfaction was similar in 2020 and 2019 for face-to-face consultations (44[38-47] and 44[39-48], p=0.136). In 2020, satisfaction with remote consultations was slightly lower than with face-to-face (43[37-46] vs 44[38-47], p<0.001). Conclusions: Even though patients were slightly more satisfied with face-to-face consultations, remote consultations can be an alternative in follow-up services for patients with asthma in the near future.