Patient Satisfaction with Lung Transplant Telemedicine: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine has become essential for maintaining post-transplant care while reducing exposure risks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Lung transplant recipients require frequent monitoring due to chronic immunosuppression and comorbidities. This study evaluates patient satisfaction and the feasibility of a lung transplant telemedicine program using a multidimensional, patient-centered survey. Methods: We conducted an observational study at the University of Maryland Lung Transplant Center between March and November 2020. A customized telemedicine satisfaction survey, developed with expert and patient input, was distributed via e-mail to lung transplant recipients, with a follow-up 6 months later. Key domains included quality of care, technology usability, cost burden, and overall experience. Results: Of 148 patients surveyed, 106 responded, with 53 completing the follow-up survey. In the initial and follow-up surveys, 94% and 89% rated telemedicine care as "very good" or "excellent." Technology usability was high, with 96% and 94% reporting good understanding. Most patients (90% initially, 84% at follow-up) noted decreased travel costs. However, while patients appreciated these benefits, preference for in-person visits increased from 45% initially to 65% at follow-up. Conclusion: Lung transplant patients reported high satisfaction with telemedicine, benefiting from reduced costs and COVID-19 exposure risk. The survey captured the complexities of post-transplant care while addressing technological barriers. Future research should validate telemedicine satisfaction tools across multiple centers and assess its impact on clinical outcomes in transplant populations.