Patient and family experience of telehealth care delivery as part of the CF chronic care model early in the COVID-19 pandemic

George M Solomon, Julianna Bailey, James Lawlor, Peter Scalia, Gregory S Sawicki, Christopher Dowd, Kathryn A Sabadosa, Aricca Van Citters, George M Solomon, Julianna Bailey, James Lawlor, Peter Scalia, Gregory S Sawicki, Christopher Dowd, Kathryn A Sabadosa, Aricca Van Citters

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, CF centers shifted to a telehealth delivery model. Our study aimed to determine how people with CF (PwCF) and their families experienced telehealth and assessed its quality and acceptability for future CF care.

Methods: The CF Patient and Family State of Care Survey (PFSoC) was fielded from August 31-October 30, 2020. The PFSoC explored themes of overall telehealth quality, ease of use, desirability, and preference for a future mix of in-person and telehealth care. Demographic covariates considered included: gender, age, CFTR modulator status, and region of residence.

Results: 424 PwCF and parents of PwCF responded (47% parents). Most (81%) reported a telehealth visit which included a MD/APP and nurse team members. 91% found telehealth easy to use, and 66% reported similar/higher quality than in-person care. One-third (34%) reported the highest desire for future telehealth care, with 45% (n =212) desiring 50% or more of visits conducted via telehealth. Adults were more likely than parents to report highest desire for future telehealth (64% vs. 36%). Respondents who perceived telehealth as similar/higher quality were more likely to desire future telehealth compared to those who perceived telehealth as lower quality (96% vs. 50%). Mixed methods analysis revealed themes affecting perceptions of telehealth.

Conclusions: PwCF desire for future telehealth was influenced by perception of quality and age. Several themes emerged that need to be explored as telehealth is adapted into the CF chronic care model, especially when thinking about integration into pediatric care.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cystic Fibrosis; Experience of Care; Healthcare Utilization; Telehealth.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ease of Use and Quality Perceptions of Telehealth. A. Overall summary of ease of use data. B. Most common reasons for respondents’ poor perception of ease of use. C. Overall respondents’ perceptions of quality of telehealth.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Ranked Responses for Benefits and Limitations of Telehealth. A. Ranked responses for top benefits of telehealth among respondent's who viewed telehealth of high quality. B. Ranked responses of limitations for respondents who felt that telehealth was of poorer quality than in-person care.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Summary of Respondents’ Desire for Future telehealth. A. Distribution of responses regarding strongest desire for telehealth in future CF care. B. The desire for telehealth is significantly influenced by respondents’ perceptions of quality of telehealth (p<0.05). C. Distribution of responses of preference for mix of telehealth and in-person care in future CF care.

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