Browsing by Author "Matos, Maria Miguel da Cruz Fonseca de"
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- Perspectives and possibilities of telehealth medical consultations in primary care practicesPublication . Matos, Maria Miguel da Cruz Fonseca de; Martins, HenriqueTelemedicine solutions have a rising importance in health systems, on the improvement of access to care and the provision of healthcare services. The COVID-19 pandemic increased its usage, as teleconsultations could help reduce the spread of the virus, however, this should be looked at as a long-term solution, since technology is increasingly present in healthcare. This thesis aims to assess the awareness and perspectives of patients regarding video-teleconsultations, and the possibility of this solution being present in Portuguese primary health care, substituting in-person consultations. Combining evidence from literature and a sample of Portuguese patients, it was possible to analyse video-teleconsultations and non-video-teleconsultations. Patients’ awareness on the videoteleconsultations was high (81,4% of the sample), and influenced by levels of education and income, differing from the general lack of awareness described in several studies. However, the need for more focused awareness campaigns was identified, which was in accordance with literature reviewed. Non-video-teleconsultations had higher levels of awareness and use, when compared to video-teleconsultations, similar to previous studies. Finally, physical interventions, consultations’ purpose, hardware availability and quality and value’s perception of teleconsultations had a significantly influence on the patients’ opinion about the possibility of substitution of in-person consultations for this video-teleconsultations. However, demographic characteristics did not affect, which may be due to the sample size. These findings show telemedicine’s potential on the progress of the provision of care. Yet they still indicate the need for future research on patients and health professionals’ perspectives, and for strategic awareness campaigns regarding teleconsultations in primary care.