IBD AND THE PATIENT-PROVIDER RELATIONSHIP: DOES TRUST IMPACT TELEMEDICINE UTILIZATION?

Telemedicine use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but uptake among patient populations not been equitable. Lack of access to technology or broadband connection contributes digital divide, additional factors at provider-level may contribute. We aimed identify barriers and facilitators inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) telemedicine with a focus on trust patient-provider relationship. Patients 18 years older who were seen via colorectal surgery clinic high-volume, tertiary care academic center contacted for participation in this study. Patient demographics including age surgery, race, sex, diagnosis recorded. health literacy was evaluated using BRIEF Health Literacy Screening Tool. The Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale (WFPTS) used measure providers. Individual semi-structured interviews based developed guides explored use. NVivo12 software qualitative analysis data organization. Coders reviewed each transcript independently, convening after initial review discussion. Final themes analyzed by process. Among 29 participants, 24% patients underwent treatment IBD. 52% identified as female, 67% White, 30% Black, 4% Latino, which closely mirrors racial study region. 33.3% had limited (BRIEF score < 17) an overall mean 17.6 out 20 (SD 3.33). WFPTS scale ranged from 44 50, 48.5 2.1) IBD patients. patients, three major important respect visits: providers, institution, surgical Of these, appeared most influence telemedicine. All participants noted that surgeon confidence reputation affected In majority referral trusted provider factor patient’s utilization pre post operatively. Additionally, duration encounter, pre-operative education, surgeon’s ability answer questions relevant generalizability our results be because all single institution. Provider-level have role To improve engagement population, providers healthcare systems should build integrate interventions enhance communication interpersonal skills.