A survey found high overall satisfaction and confidence in telephone consultations. While patients valued the safety, convenience and cost savings of remote appointments, barriers such as communication challenges, language difficulties and the absence of physical examination highlight the need for tailored support and a balanced approach to telemedicine delivery. Background: The rapid shift toward telemedicine has transformed healthcare delivery, particularly for patients with chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease. However, there remains limited understanding of patient perceptions, satisfaction and barriers associated with telephone consultations in this population. Aims: To evaluate patient confidence and satisfaction with telephone consultations. Methods: A survey was distributed to 1000 patients under the care of a regional nephrology centre, and 305 surveys were completed (30.5%). Demographic data were collected, and descriptive statistics were calculated. Confidence and satisfaction were rated on a 10-point scale. Comparisons between age groups (18–65 versus >65 years old) were conducted using independent-samples t-tests, with analysis performed in Microsoft Excel. Free-text responses underwent thematic analysis. Results: Respondents reported high levels of confidence (mean 8.03) and satisfaction (mean 8.2) with telephone consultations. Patients aged 18–65 years old reported significantly higher confidence than those over 65 ( P =0.003), though satisfaction differences were not significant. Most participants preferred a hybrid model combining telephone and face-to-face consultations. Conclusions: Telephone consultations are generally well accepted among patients with chronic kidney disease, offering convenience and safety benefits. However, disparities in satisfaction among older adults and those with language barriers highlight the need for tailored support.
Wise et al. (Sat,) studied this question.