Abstract
Purpose :
While tele-ophthalmology has existed in various forms as an adjunct tool in screening, diagnosis, and remote management, its adoption as a primary means of eye care delivery has been limited. The COVID-19 pandemic led to limited ability to provide in-person eye care and accelerated the need for tele-ophthalmology. This ongoing study seeks to understand patients’ attitudes, motivations, and barriers to the use of tele-ophthalmology in lieu of in-person visits.
Methods :
From March – October, 2020, in-person visits to a single university-based eye clinic were restricted to urgent ocular complaints. All routine visits were offered as video visits (VV) through the electronic medical record (EMR). 800 patients who completed a VV during this period, as well as a random selection of 800 patients who completed an in-office visit 6 months prior but no VV during this period, were sent an online survey. Data collected included demographic information, use of and comfort with digital devices, knowledge of the VV option, and reasons for use/non-use of the VV option.
Results :
35 individuals (54% male, 46% female; 80% White, 9% Black, 3% Asian, 9% other; mean age 63 ± 15 years) have participated in the study to date. 15 (43%) did not have a VV and 20 (57%) completed a VV. There were no significant differences in demographic factors between groups. 80% without vs 75% with a VV (p>0.05) felt somewhat or very comfortable using digital devices. 100% without vs 90% (p>0.05) with a VV were registered for the EMR patient portal prior to March 2020. Of the individuals who did not complete a VV, 25% did not want a VV for eye care, 25% were unaware of the VV option, 19% did not feel follow up was needed, 25% felt VV were insufficient for their eye care needs, and 1% reported lack of insurance coverage of VV as reasons for not choosing to complete a VV. Binomial logistic regression showed that demographic factors, comfort with digital device use, and prior access to the patient portal did not influence use/non-use of a VV.
Conclusions :
The importance of tele-ophthalmology continues to increase as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to limit feasibility of or patient willingness for in-person visits. An understanding of patients’ attitudes towards and barriers to accepting video visits may help minimize disruptions in necessary eye care in case of future limitations in access to in-person services.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.