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Scientific Oral Presentations

Laryngology/Broncho-Esophagology

Session: Scientific Oral Presentations 4 - Laryngology/Broncho-Esophagology

Patient Perceptions of Telehealth in Laryngology and Speech-Language Pathology

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
9:42 AM – 9:48 AM EDT
Location: MBCC, 224
Disclosure(s):
Daniel Karasik:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Nina W. Zhao, MD, MAEd:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Nelson S. Howard, MD, MBA, FACS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: This study evaluates patient perceptions of telehealth visits with laryngology and speech language pathology (SLP). We aim to understand the patient sentiment towards telehealth services and identify trends that may inform future healthcare delivery models.

Methods: We surveyed 37 patients who participated in telehealth visits with either a laryngologist, an SLP, or both. The surveys were divided into telehealth visits in 2020-2021 and in 2023-2024. The questions comprised Likert scale questions and open-ended responses, addressing scheduling convenience, communication efficacy, and technological adequacy, among other topics. We conducted descriptive analysis, identified sentiment trends from free-text comments, and performed Chi-square tests where relevant.

Results: Of 37 survey responses, 21 were from 2020-2021 and 16 from 2023-2024. In 2020-2021, 18 (85.71%) respondents agreed or strongly agreed on scheduling ease, with 10 (47.62%) respondents indicating they would agree to future telehealth visits. In 2023-2024, 15 (93.75%) respondents agreed or strongly agreed on scheduling ease, and 12 (75.0%) agreed to future telehealth visits. Across all survey responses, there was significant variation in virtual follow-up recommendations by provider type (p = 0.047), with the SLP recommending them in 8 out of 11 cases (72.73%) compared to the laryngologist in 4 out of 16 cases (25.0%). Free-text feedback highlighted that patients appreciated the convenience and time-saving aspects but also expressed reservations regarding the limitations in clinical evaluations during the visit and occasional technical challenges.

Conclusions: The study suggests a growing patient and provider endorsement for telehealth, reflected in an increased willingness for future virtual visits over time. The feedback underscores telehealth's convenience and potential as a long-term component of healthcare delivery, though it is essential to acknowledge and address limitations regarding the thoroughness of clinical evaluations in a virtual setting.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Daniel Karasik

    Research Fellow
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
    Beachwood, OH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • CC

    Claudia I. Cabrera, MD, MS

    Post doctoral
    Case Western Reserve University Medical School/University Hospitals
    Cleveland, OH, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • LR

    Lex M. Rakowski, MS, CCC-SLP

    Speech language pathologist
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
    Cleveland, Ohio, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Nina W. Zhao, MD, MAEd

    Assistant Professor
    University Hospitals Cleveland / Case Western Reserve University
    Cleveland, OH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • N. Scott Howard, MD, MBA, FACS

    Laryngology
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
    Beachwood, OH, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.