Dr Samantha Kozica-Olenski1, Dr Belinda Garth1, Dr Drishti Ghelania1, Associate Professor Jacqueline Boyle2,3, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor Amanda Vincent1,2
1Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 2Menopause Clinic, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia, 3Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Aim
To explore women’s and clinician’s experiences and acceptability of telehealth use within a Melbourne specialised menopause service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Mixed-method study incorporating qualitative semi-structured interviews with eighteen women and six clinicians analysed via thematic inductive approaches and an online consumer quantitative survey distributed April-August 2021.
Results
Most survey respondents (n=93) were aged 40-59 years (63%), attended clinic for ≥2 years (56%) and not used telehealth previously (84%). Most women (70%) and all clinicians perceived telehealth as an acceptable mode of delivering menopause care. Most women (76%) perceived that the clinician communicated effectively. Benefits of telehealth identified via thematic analysis, included convenience, greater access to care and improved safety. Telehealth challenges included perceived impacts on personalised care, patient-related logistical issues, and system/organisational-related issues. Women preferred face-to-face consults for initial menopause appointments (69%) and telehealth for review appointments (65%). Most women (62%) viewed the continuation of telehealth consultations as ‘moderately’ to ‘extremely useful’ following lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Improvements to support embedding and adaptation of telehealth into routine care were described.
Conclusion
Findings indicate the acceptability of telehealth from both patient and provider perspectives and support the ongoing delivery of a hybrid (telehealth and face-to-face) menopause service model.
Biography:
Dr Samantha Kozica-Olenski is an early career research fellow at Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University. By background, she is a clinical dietitian with >10 years’ experience working in the public, community and private sectors. She brings expertise in women’s health, nutrition, health coaching, program evaluation, qualitative and translational research.