In a Pandemic That Limits Contact, Can Videoconferencing Enable Interdisciplinary Persistent Pain Services and What Are the Patient's Perspectives?

OBJECTIVE: To explore patients' thoughts and satisfaction with using videoconferencing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to gather (1) patient feedback and satisfaction with videoconferencing across all health professions as well as divided into a subgroup for each profession, (2) patient preferences for either videoconference or face-to-face consultations during the pandemic lockdown, and (3) whether patients would consider using videoconferencing once face-to-face appointments were available. DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional, mixed methods study design. SETTING: Tertiary-level persistent pain center. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five patients aged 18 to 85 years with persistent pain lasting more than 12 months. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected using a patient survey. Descriptive statistics were used to report findings from 5-point Likert scales. Qualitative analysis was guided by content analysis to organize and categorize the open-ended survey response text. RESULTS: Videoconferencing platform features including audiovisual, usability, and privacy worked well for most patients (≥90%). Two-thirds of those surveyed reported the videoconferencing sessions as equal to face-to-face attendance (68%). In the context of the pandemic, almost as many preferred videoconferencing (65%), whereas 26% preferred face-to-face attendance and 9% were unsure. Preferences for videoconferencing over face-to-face in context to the pandemic varied depending on the health discipline involved: pharmacy (83%), occupational therapy (78%), psychology (61%), pain specialist physician (59%), and physiotherapy (53%). Even outside of a pandemic situation, 80% would consider using videoconferencing in the future. Qualitative analysis on an open-ended question asking patients for any further comments regarding their experience with the videoconference consultation, found 3 main categories: (1) overall satisfaction with videoconferencing, (2) technology qualities and (3) clinical interaction. CONCLUSION: In the context of a pandemic, videoconferencing for interdisciplinary persistent pain management services was effective and preferred, and most patients would continue its use into the future. Alternative or mixed modes of support may be needed for the 26% who currently prefer onsite attendance, when that mode of delivery is not available.