Journal of Patient Experience (Jan 2023)

Patient and Provider Perceptions of COVID-19-Driven Telehealth Use From Nurse-Led Care Models in Rural, Frontier, and Urban Colorado Communities

  • Amy J Barton PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF,
  • Claudia R Amura PhD, MPH,
  • Emileigh L Willems PhD,
  • Rosario Medina PhD, FNP-BC, ACNP, CNS, FAANP, FAAN,
  • Sophia Centi MPH,
  • Teri Hernandez PhD, RN,
  • Sean M Reed PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, FCNS, SGAHN,
  • Paul F Cook PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735231151546
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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The purpose of this study was to characterize the patient and provider engagement in the sudden telehealth implementation that occurred with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and providers from 3 nurse-led models of care (federally qualified health centers, nurse midwifery practices, and the Nurse-Family partnership program) in Colorado were surveyed. Data from the Patient Attitude toward Telehealth survey and Provider Perceptions about Telehealth were collected. Patient respondents (n = 308) who resided primarily in rural or frontier communities were female, white, and Hispanic. Patients in urban areas used telehealth more frequently than in rural or frontier areas ( P < .001). Rural/Frontier patients had significantly lower attitude scores than urban patients across each of 5 domains assessed. Telehealth modality differed across location ( P < .023), with video calls, used more frequently by urban providers, and phone calls used by rural/frontier providers. Our data highlight differences in telehealth access and attitudes across rurality. These findings may contribute to future policy while addressing barriers to telehealth access and delivery.