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Availability of Medical Services and Teleconsultation during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Opinion of Patients of Hematology Clinics—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study (Silesia, Poland)

Author

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  • Kamila Jaroń

    (Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

  • Angelika Jastrzębska

    (Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

  • Kamil Mąkosza

    (Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

  • Mateusz Grajek

    (Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

  • Karolina Krupa-Kotara

    (Department of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

  • Joanna Kobza

    (Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland)

Abstract

Summary: A new virus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019, triggering the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 due to the rapid spread and severity of cases worldwide. In Poland, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on 4 March 2020. The aim of the prevention efforts was primarily to stop the spread of the infection to prevent overburdening the health care system. Many illnesses were treated by telemedicine, primarily using teleconsultation. Telemedicine has reduced personal contact between doctors and patients and reduced the risk of exposure to disease for patients and medical personnel. The survey aimed to gather patients’ opinions on the quality and availability of specialized medical services during the pandemic. Based on the data collected regarding patients’ opinions on services provided via telephone systems, a picture was created of patients’ opinions on teleconsultation, and attention was drawn to emerging problems. The study included a 200-person group of patients, realizing their appointments at a multispecialty outpatient clinic in Bytom, aged over 18 years, with various levels of education. The study was conducted among patients of Specialized Hospital No. 1 in Bytom. A proprietary survey questionnaire was developed for the study, which was conducted on paper and used face-to-face interaction with patients. Results: 17.5% of women and 17.5% of men rated the availability of services during the pandemic as good. In contrast, among those aged 60 and over, 14.5% of respondents rated the availability of services during the pandemic as poor. In contrast, among those in the labor force, as many as 20% of respondents rated the accessibility of services provided during the pandemic as being well. The same answer was marked by those on a pension (15%). Overwhelmingly, women in the age group of 60 and over showed a reluctance toward teleconsultation. Conclusions: Patients’ attitudes toward the use of teleconsultation services during the COVID-19 pandemic varied, primarily due to attitudes toward the new situation, the age of the patient, or the need to adapt to specific solutions not always understood by the public. Telemedicine cannot completely replace inpatient services, especially among the elderly. It is necessary to refine remote visits to convince the public of this type of service. Remote visits should be refined and adapted to the needs of patients in such a way as to remove any barriers and problems arising from this type of service. This system should also be introduced as a target, providing an alternative method of inpatient services even after the pandemic ends.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamila Jaroń & Angelika Jastrzębska & Kamil Mąkosza & Mateusz Grajek & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Joanna Kobza, 2023. "Availability of Medical Services and Teleconsultation during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Opinion of Patients of Hematology Clinics—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study (Silesia, Poland)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4264-:d:1082653
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Agata Wypych-Ślusarska & Martina Grot & Maria Kujawińska & Maciej Nigowski & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Klaudia Oleksiuk & Joanna Głogowska-Ligus & Mateusz Grajek, 2022. "Respiratory Symptoms, Allergies, and Environmental Exposures in Children with and without Asthma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Alicia Núñez & S. D. Sreeganga & Arkalgud Ramaprasad, 2021. "Access to Healthcare during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Mateusz Grajek & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Mateusz Rozmiarek & Karolina Sobczyk & Eliza Działach & Michał Górski & Joanna Kobza, 2022. "The Level of COVID-19 Anxiety among Oncology Patients in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-14, September.
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