Cindie Slightam|Amy J. P. Gregory|Junjie Hu|Josephine Jacobs|Tolessa Gurmessa|Rachel Kimerling|Daniel M. Blonigen|Donna M. Zulman
Patient Perceptions of Video Visits Using Veterans Affairs Telehealth Tablets: Survey Study
VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|Stanford University|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Veterans Health Administration|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation|Stanford University|VA Palo Alto Health Care System|Center for Innovation
background videobased health care help address access gaps patients rapidly offered health care organizations however patients lack access technology may left behind initiatives 2016 us department veterans affairs va began distributing videoenabled tablets provide video visits veterans health care access barriers objective study aimed evaluate veterans experiences vaissued tablets identify patient characteristics associated preferences video visits vs inperson care methods baseline survey sent tablet recipients followup survey sent respondents 3 6 months later multivariate logistic regression used identify patient characteristics associated preferences care examined qualitative themes around care preferences using standard content analysis methods coding data collected openended questions results patientreported access barriers centered around transportation healthrelated challenges outside commitments feeling uncomfortable uneasy va satisfaction tablet program high followup survey approximately twothirds tablet recipients preferred care via tablet 194604 321 expressed videobased inperson care 216604 357 whereas onethird 192604 317 indicated preference inperson care patients significantly likely report preference video visits vs preference inperson visits rating felt uncomfortable va setting reported collaborative communication style doctor substance use disorder diagnosis lived place better broadband coverage patients less likely report preference video visits chronic conditions qualitative analyses identified four themes related preferences videobased care perceived improvements access care perceived differential quality care feasibility obtaining necessary care technologyrelated challenges conclusions many recipients vaissued tablets report video care equivalent preferred inperson care results may inform efforts identify good candidates virtual care interventions support individuals experience technical challenges