Positive provider experience with telehealth during COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: There has been a rapid increase in the usage of telehealth since the onset of COVID. We examine providers' perceptions of their ability to perform clinical assessments, physical exams, and connect with patients over a digital platform and identify which types of patients may be best suited to telehealth. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been rapid expansion in the use of telehealth, but very few studies examining provider experience and perceptions of this technology. This research was conceptualized and conducted after the onset of COVID-19. Discussing the results of the survey at the 2021 meeting will be both relevant and timely to private groups and hospital systems that seek to better understand providers' perceptions of their ability to perform clinical assessments, physical exams, and connect with patients over a digital platform, along with discerning what type of patients may be best suited to telehealth. Methods: Survey invitations were sent via email to 944 physicians and advanced practice providers at a large midwestern academic system over a 2-week period in October 2020. The survey included demographics questions and a combination of open- and closed-ended questions. Data were collected using REDCAP. Descriptive statistics were conducted using SPSS. Results: A total of 178 surveys were completed and analyzed. In most telehealth visits, 86.8% of providers felt they adequately addressed the chief complaint, 86.6% felt confident in their clinical assessment, and 86.1% felt they formed an adequate personal connection with the patient. Of the providers, 58.5% felt telehealth was not effective for new patients, but 83% of providers felt it was effective for providing care to established patients. Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that providers had positive experiences with telehealth, and they wish to continue using telehealth in a postpandemic setting. While this method may not be appropriate for some new patients, providers did feel that telehealth was an effective means of providing care for established patients.