'They're getting a taste of our world': A qualitative study of people with multiple sclerosis' experiences of accessing health care during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Australian Capital Territory.
multiple sclerosis
pandemic
patient experience
qualitative
risk assessment
telehealth
Journal
Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy
ISSN: 1369-7625
Titre abrégé: Health Expect
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9815926
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
10 2021
10 2021
Historique:
revised:
13
04
2021
received:
22
01
2021
accepted:
06
05
2021
pubmed:
7
7
2021
medline:
6
10
2021
entrez:
6
7
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
People with multiple sclerosis (MS), who are often immunocompromised, require complex care and engage with a variety of health-care providers to manage their health. To elucidate people with MS' experiences of accessing health care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Eight adults with a clinical diagnosis of MS participated in telephone or video call interviews between June and July 2020. Participants were aware that having MS made them more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. In some cases, usual care was postponed or not sought. Some circumstances warranted the risk of a face-to-face consultation. Benefits of telehealth consultations included improved access, convenience and being contact-free. In comparison with video consultations, those via telephone were considered less personal and limited capacity to read body language, and for physical examination. Most participants hoped to incorporate telehealth into their future health-care routines. Personal risk assessment and trust in health-care professionals are determinants of the mode through which people with MS accessed health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has been a valuable tool to mitigate COVID-19 transmission through enabling contact-free consultations. People with MS may find specific value in video consultations, which enable visualization of physical function. There is a need for training and support for all clinicians to conduct remote consultations. This study was conducted by a team comprised of four people with MS, a neurologist and four health services researchers.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
People with multiple sclerosis (MS), who are often immunocompromised, require complex care and engage with a variety of health-care providers to manage their health.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate people with MS' experiences of accessing health care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.
DESIGN
A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.
SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
Eight adults with a clinical diagnosis of MS participated in telephone or video call interviews between June and July 2020.
RESULTS
Participants were aware that having MS made them more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. In some cases, usual care was postponed or not sought. Some circumstances warranted the risk of a face-to-face consultation. Benefits of telehealth consultations included improved access, convenience and being contact-free. In comparison with video consultations, those via telephone were considered less personal and limited capacity to read body language, and for physical examination. Most participants hoped to incorporate telehealth into their future health-care routines.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Personal risk assessment and trust in health-care professionals are determinants of the mode through which people with MS accessed health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has been a valuable tool to mitigate COVID-19 transmission through enabling contact-free consultations. People with MS may find specific value in video consultations, which enable visualization of physical function. There is a need for training and support for all clinicians to conduct remote consultations.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
This study was conducted by a team comprised of four people with MS, a neurologist and four health services researchers.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34227728
doi: 10.1111/hex.13284
pmc: PMC8483188
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1607-1617Subventions
Organisme : Our Health in Our Hands
Organisme : Australian National University
Informations de copyright
© 2021 The Authors. Health Expectations published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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