Patient satisfaction with telemedicine in addictions

Background. Telemedicine refers to providing healthcare from one site to another remote site, through information technologies, and has been advocated by the World Health Organisation. Telemedicine has been found to be cost-effective, reducing travel and improving satisfaction as compared to face-to-face appointments. Methods. We assessed patient satisfaction with a new Telemedicine in Addictions service as part of a feasibility randomised controlled trial of telemedicine versus face-to-face consultations (ISRCTN36756455), with addiction specialist prescribers, pre-COVID19. Opioid dependent patients prescribed opioid replacement treatment attending an outreach clinic were recruited. Telemedicine participants completed the NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT) after each consultation. We completed qualitative analysis of the free text responses. Results. Thirty Friends and Family Tests were completed, of which all participants were 'extremely likely' (n=19;67%) or 'likely' (n=11;37%) to recommend Telemedicine. Qualitative analysis themes for recommending telemedicine were 'convenience', 'less travel', 'supportive staff' and 'listened to'. Patients said that everything went well, including communication. Conclusions. Our study found that patients recommend telemedicine because of convenience, less travel, good communication and supportive staff, showing this is acceptable to patients. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this technology will be essential for continued access to addiction services.