Acceptability to primary care providers of telemedicine in diabetes case management.
We studied the perceptions of primary care providers (PCPs) about the telemedicine intervention in a trial of telemedicine for management of diabetes in medically under-served areas of New York State. A survey was mailed to 206 rural and 159 urban PCPs. The response rates were 25% and 22%, respectively. Eighty percent of respondents believed that a diabetes telemedicine case management system would help their practice. An overall satisfaction score (possible range 0-80) suggested good acceptability (mean 66, SD 12). In multiple linear regression, the rural location and younger age of the PCPs were independent predictors of higher satisfaction (both P < 0.01). Within-PCP comparisons showed a higher perceived impact on patients, as compared to impact on PCP practices (P < 0.001). However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the low response rates.
Palmas
Walter
W
Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. wp56@columbia.edu
Teresi
Jeanne
J
Weinstock
Ruth S
RS
Shea
Steven
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019090:Case Management; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards