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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Improving telehealth for persons with multiple sclerosis - a cross-sectional study from the Australian MS longitudinal study
Disability and rehabilitation, Vol.46(20), pp.4755-4762
2023
PMID: 38088346
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare delivery, especially for people with chronic disease. We investigated telehealth use by persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and their suggestions to improve their telehealth experience.
Methods
From persons with MS, we collected data on demographic, disease-related and social determinants of health, telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic, satisfaction with telehealth, and suggestions to improve telehealth. We conducted univariate log-binomial regression to establish factors associated with telehealth use versus no use, summarised experiences and suggestions for improvement with frequency tables, and conducted thematic analysis on free-text suggestions for improvement.
Results
Of 1,485 participants, 69.8% used telehealth during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only small differences were observed for demographic, disease and social health determinants between telehealth users and non-users. Most participants who used telehealth had good or very good experiences (new providers:74.3%; existing providers:78.6%). The most common suggestion for improving telehealth experience was “guidance on preparing for telehealth sessions.” Participants also wanted expansion in telehealth availability and utility.
Conclusion
Persons with MS in Australia commonly used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and were generally satisfied with their experiences. Implementing the suggested improvements will help optimise telehealth for persons with MS.
Registration
N/A.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Australians with multiple sclerosis (MS) had good or very good experiences of telehealth during the first year of the pandemic.
Telehealth is a useful consultation tool for many rehabilitation professions and may be appropriate for use across the whole MS population.
To improve the delivery of rehabilitation through telehealth, provision of better guidance on preparing for telehealth consultations and provision of digital equipment to monitor their health is wanted by persons with MS.
Rehabilitation professionals and researchers should take opportunities to identify if proficiency in the English language and cultural background may influence experiences with telehealth in persons with MS.
Details
- Title
- Improving telehealth for persons with multiple sclerosis - a cross-sectional study from the Australian MS longitudinal study
- Authors/Creators
- Y C Learmonth - Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational ScienceB Galna - Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational ScienceL L Laslett - Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, AustraliaI van der Mei - Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, AustraliaC H Marck - The University of Melbourne
- Publication Details
- Disability and rehabilitation, Vol.46(20), pp.4755-4762
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Identifiers
- 991005621222607891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Healthy Ageing; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics; School of Allied Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.203 Neuromuscular Disorders
- 1.203.147 Multiple Sclerosis
- Web Of Science research areas
- Rehabilitation
- ESI research areas
- Social Sciences, general