A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations
Abstract Objectives To conduct a qualitative investigation on a subset of participants from a previously completed Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to understand why factors identified from the DCE are important, how they influenced preference for virtual consultations (VC) and how COVID-19 has infl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AboutScience Srl
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Archives of Physiotherapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-021-00115-0 |
| _version_ | 1797283020828311552 |
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| author | Anthony W. Gilbert Carl R. May Hazel Brown Maria Stokes Jeremy Jones |
| author_facet | Anthony W. Gilbert Carl R. May Hazel Brown Maria Stokes Jeremy Jones |
| author_sort | Anthony W. Gilbert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objectives To conduct a qualitative investigation on a subset of participants from a previously completed Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to understand why factors identified from the DCE are important, how they influenced preference for virtual consultations (VC) and how COVID-19 has influenced preference for VC. Methods A quota sample was recruited from participants who participated in our DCE. We specifically targeted participants who were strongly in favour of face-to-face consultations (F2F - defined as choosing all or mostly F2F in the DCE) or strongly in favour of virtual consultations (VC - defined as choosing all or mostly VC consultations in the DCE) to elicit a range of views. Interviews were conducted via telephone or videoconference, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and uploaded into NVIVO software. A directed content analysis of transcripts was undertaken in accordance with a coding framework based on the results of the DCE and the impact of COVID-19 on preference. Results Eight F2F and 5 VC participants were included. Shorter appointments were less ‘worth’ travelling in for than a longer appointment and rush hour travel had an effect on whether travelling was acceptable, particularly when patients experienced pain as a result of extended journeys. Socioeconomic factors such as cost of travel, paid time off work, access to equipment and support in its use was important. Physical examinations were preferable in the clinic whereas talking therapies were acceptable over VC. Several participants commented on how VC interferes with the patient-clinician relationship. VC during COVID-19 has provided patients with the opportunity to access their care virtually without the need for travel. For some, this was extremely positive. Conclusions This study investigated the results of a previously completed DCE and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for VC. Theoretically informative insights were gained to explain the results of the DCE. The use of VC during the COVID-19 pandemic provided opportunities to access care without the need for face-to-face social interactions. Many felt that VC would become more commonplace after the pandemic, whereas others were keen to return to F2F consultations as much as possible. This qualitative study provides additional context to the results of a previously completed DCE. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T17:22:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2db9f91896574ca589bad393e1f1b76f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2057-0082 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T17:22:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | AboutScience Srl |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Physiotherapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-2db9f91896574ca589bad393e1f1b76f2024-03-02T19:31:59ZengAboutScience SrlArchives of Physiotherapy2057-00822021-09-0111111310.1186/s40945-021-00115-0A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultationsAnthony W. Gilbert0Carl R. May1Hazel Brown2Maria Stokes3Jeremy Jones4Therapies Department, Royal National Orthopaedic HospitalNIHR Applied Research CollaborationTherapies Department, Royal National Orthopaedic HospitalSchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonAbstract Objectives To conduct a qualitative investigation on a subset of participants from a previously completed Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to understand why factors identified from the DCE are important, how they influenced preference for virtual consultations (VC) and how COVID-19 has influenced preference for VC. Methods A quota sample was recruited from participants who participated in our DCE. We specifically targeted participants who were strongly in favour of face-to-face consultations (F2F - defined as choosing all or mostly F2F in the DCE) or strongly in favour of virtual consultations (VC - defined as choosing all or mostly VC consultations in the DCE) to elicit a range of views. Interviews were conducted via telephone or videoconference, audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and uploaded into NVIVO software. A directed content analysis of transcripts was undertaken in accordance with a coding framework based on the results of the DCE and the impact of COVID-19 on preference. Results Eight F2F and 5 VC participants were included. Shorter appointments were less ‘worth’ travelling in for than a longer appointment and rush hour travel had an effect on whether travelling was acceptable, particularly when patients experienced pain as a result of extended journeys. Socioeconomic factors such as cost of travel, paid time off work, access to equipment and support in its use was important. Physical examinations were preferable in the clinic whereas talking therapies were acceptable over VC. Several participants commented on how VC interferes with the patient-clinician relationship. VC during COVID-19 has provided patients with the opportunity to access their care virtually without the need for travel. For some, this was extremely positive. Conclusions This study investigated the results of a previously completed DCE and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for VC. Theoretically informative insights were gained to explain the results of the DCE. The use of VC during the COVID-19 pandemic provided opportunities to access care without the need for face-to-face social interactions. Many felt that VC would become more commonplace after the pandemic, whereas others were keen to return to F2F consultations as much as possible. This qualitative study provides additional context to the results of a previously completed DCE.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-021-00115-0Patient preferencesVirtual consultationsTelehealthOrthopaedicsRehabilitationCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Anthony W. Gilbert Carl R. May Hazel Brown Maria Stokes Jeremy Jones A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations Archives of Physiotherapy Patient preferences Virtual consultations Telehealth Orthopaedics Rehabilitation COVID-19 |
| title | A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations |
| title_full | A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations |
| title_short | A qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of COVID-19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations |
| title_sort | qualitative investigation into the results of a discrete choice experiment and the impact of covid 19 on patient preferences for virtual consultations |
| topic | Patient preferences Virtual consultations Telehealth Orthopaedics Rehabilitation COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-021-00115-0 |
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