Perceptions of Telemedicine Among Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Patients and Healthcare Providers.

Objective: Our purpose was to assess perceptions of telemedicine among physical medicine and rehabilitation patients and healthcare providers.

Design: A 28-question online survey was conducted. Patients had to be 18 yrs or older who used telemedicine for a physical medicine and rehabilitation visit. Providers had to be a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation provider who has used telemedicine in their practice.

Results: Sixty-eight patients and 46 providers completed the survey. Patients and providers reported an intention to continue using telemedicine, regardless of insurance coverage/reimbursement. Patients and providers reported circumstances, such as needing a physical examination or a first-time visit, as being preferable for an in-person visit. Patients who were younger or a caretaker were more likely to report being willing to change providers if telemedicine was no longer offered than older or noncaretaker patients. Patients who made less than $30,000 annually or who did not own a car were more likely to report comfortability with telemedicine than patients who made more than $30,000 annually or who owned a car.

Conclusions: Telemedicine will continue as a staple of physical medicine and rehabilitation health care and is a particularly important resource for patients who are younger, caretakers, make less than $30,000 annually, or do not own a car.