title: Teledermatology patient satisfaction in the Pacific Northwest.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this quality improvement project is to assess patient satisfaction with a store-and-forward teledermatology project and to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Veterans receiving care in rural clinics in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed using a 5-point Likert scale about satisfaction with face-to-face care for a skin complaint prior to any teledermatology exposure. One year later, veterans in the same rural clinics were surveyed about satisfaction with teledermatology care using a more comprehensive survey. Ninety-six patients completed the face-to-face satisfaction survey questions, and 501 completed the teledermatology satisfaction survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most (78%) of surveyed patients were highly satisfied or satisfied with face-to-face dermatology care. After 1 year of teledermatology, 77% of patients were highly satisfied or satisfied with teledermatology care. The mean patient satisfaction score for teledermatology was equivalent to face-to-face care (4.1±1.2 and 4.3±1.0, p=0.4). Factors associated with teledermatology patient satisfaction included short wait times for initial consultation, a perception that the initial wait time was not too long, a perception that the skin condition was properly treated, and the belief that adequate follow-up was received. Factors associated with teledermatology patient dissatisfaction included perceptions that the skin condition was not properly treated and that inadequate follow-up was received.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teledermatology was widely accepted by the majority of patients receiving care at rural clinics. Patient satisfaction with care received through teledermatology was equivalent to that with face-to-face dermatology.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Martha T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eastman
authors.forename: Lynne V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Raugi
authors.forename: Gayle E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Reiber
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058996:Quality Improvement; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014861:Washington