TY - JOUR
AU - S. M. Saiyed
AU - R. E. Sayed
AU - S. Khattab
AU - A. Yassin
A1 - 
AB - Background: Little is known about the implication of launching virtual-first primary care (VPC) in a health system. Our experience and survey can guide others to establish their virtual-first programs. This study examines implementation, patient perspectives, and satisfaction with VPC at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Methods: We conducted a Web-based survey to examine factors associated with the likelihood of early adoption and continued use of VPC. We used bivariate comparisons and cluster analysis to evaluate the results. The survey was sent to 1,420 patients seen between August 2022 and January 2023. Responses related to demographics, doctor-patient relations, savings, experience, and future preferences of use were aggregated. To evaluate the relationship between demographics and survey responses, we conducted univariate analysis. Results: Females and patients between 40 and 50 years of age were the primary users and indicated the most interest in continued use. Health insurance status seems not to be a significant predictor in the selection and use of VPC. Most (78%) felt that the physician-patient relationship was unimpaired. The survey showed that 90% of patients saved time by using VPC, and 66% reported saving money on tolls, childcare, or gasoline. Only 13% reported not wanting to continue VPC. Discussion: A majority of surveyed patients felt the doctor-patient relationship was not negatively affected in VPC. VPC programs can be implemented with high patient satisfaction in an integrated health system. VPC is acceptable to most patients, and further expansion of the model is warranted.
AD - Department of Telehealth, UPMC Central PA, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Clinical Informatics, UPMC Central PA, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
AN - 38669107
BT - Telemed J E Health
C5 - HIT & Telehealth
CP - 6
DA - Jun
DO - 10.1089/tmj.2023.0577
DP - NLM
ET - 20240426
IS - 6
JF - Telemed J E Health
LA - eng
N2 - Background: Little is known about the implication of launching virtual-first primary care (VPC) in a health system. Our experience and survey can guide others to establish their virtual-first programs. This study examines implementation, patient perspectives, and satisfaction with VPC at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Methods: We conducted a Web-based survey to examine factors associated with the likelihood of early adoption and continued use of VPC. We used bivariate comparisons and cluster analysis to evaluate the results. The survey was sent to 1,420 patients seen between August 2022 and January 2023. Responses related to demographics, doctor-patient relations, savings, experience, and future preferences of use were aggregated. To evaluate the relationship between demographics and survey responses, we conducted univariate analysis. Results: Females and patients between 40 and 50 years of age were the primary users and indicated the most interest in continued use. Health insurance status seems not to be a significant predictor in the selection and use of VPC. Most (78%) felt that the physician-patient relationship was unimpaired. The survey showed that 90% of patients saved time by using VPC, and 66% reported saving money on tolls, childcare, or gasoline. Only 13% reported not wanting to continue VPC. Discussion: A majority of surveyed patients felt the doctor-patient relationship was not negatively affected in VPC. VPC programs can be implemented with high patient satisfaction in an integrated health system. VPC is acceptable to most patients, and further expansion of the model is warranted.
PY - 2024
SN - 1530-5627
SP - e1769
EP - e1780+
ST - Exploring the Patient Experience and Perspective in Virtual-First Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Study from an Integrated Health System
T1 - Exploring the Patient Experience and Perspective in Virtual-First Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Study from an Integrated Health System
T2 - Telemed J E Health
TI - Exploring the Patient Experience and Perspective in Virtual-First Primary Care: A Cross-Sectional Study from an Integrated Health System
U1 - HIT & Telehealth
U3 - 10.1089/tmj.2023.0577
VL - 30
VO - 1530-5627
Y1 - 2024
ER -