title: Formative evaluation of a telemedicine model for delivering clinical neurophysiology services part II: the referring clinician and patient perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Feedback from service users will provide insight into opportunities for improvement so that performance can be optimised. In the context of a formative evaluation referring clinician and patient satisfaction with a teleneurophysiology service was examined during a 20 week pilot period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire surveys of referring clinicians and patients were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen (58%) clinicians responded to the first part of a postal survey which examined their satisfaction with traditional clinical neurophysiology services. Nine (35%) responded to a second part which assessed their experience with the teleneurophysiology service. Teleneurophysiology improved satisfaction with waiting times, availability of results and impact on patient management. There was unanimous support from the clinicians for the permanent development of a teleneurophysiology service, although 2 cautioned this could delay establishing a neurology service in their region.Eighty-two percent (116/142) of patients responded to a survey of their satisfaction with teleneurophysiology. This was compared to a previous report of 322 patients' experience with traditional CN services in Ireland. Waiting times for appointment were shorter for the former group who supported the telemedicine model recognising that it reduced the travel burden and need for overnight journeys. The two groups were equally anxious about the investigation although the teleneurophysiology patients received more prior information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study illustrates that teleneurophysiology is an acceptable model of service delivery for its primary customers. Their feedback is important in informing appropriate design and governance of such innovative models of health service provision.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Programme, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delanty
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzsimons
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D009482:Neurophysiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists