OP0274-PARE EVALUATION OF PATIENT SATISFACTION FOR TELEHEALTH (PHONE AND VIDEO) IN RHEUMATOLOGY OUTPATIENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background: Telehealth via phone (TPhone) or video conference (TVideo) in rheumatology has been a topic of interest for many years. Its use was rapidly expanded due to the international public health emergency coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak 2020. Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) swiftly enabled temporary MBS telehealth items on 13 March 2020, currently extended until 31 2021 1 . In early phase COVID-19 pandemic, Antony et al. conducted single-centre survey assess patient perception telehealth. Their results showed that 98.4% patients consider acceptable during pandemic 2 It is unclear, however, whether this positive persists after experience addition, data 2019 suggested more than half rheumatologists work private practice 3 Therefore, inclusion will better represent Objectives: The aim study evaluate satisfaction with pandemic. This would determine its feasibility be integrated future outpatient model. Methods: A questionnaire containing 30 questions sent who attended appointments at level hospital and local clinic between April May questionnaires aimed obtain information baseline demographics (sex, age, patient, employment status, visual auditory impairment), appointment details (TPhone TVideo, usual arrangement face-to-face (F2F) appointment, cost effectiveness) using 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistical analysis conducted. Results: 1452 patients, which 494 responded (34%). Female predominance (77.1%) higher proportion TPhone (79.1%) seen respondents. majority were existing known services (90.9%). More 70% responses indicated overall specialist care telehealth, 88.7% perceived suitable Of all respondents, 21.7% prescribed new medication, these confident taking medication appointment. Future acceptability significantly lower compared ( p= 0.01). Subgroup revealed associated needing take time off attend p = 0.02), effectiveness <0.001) TVideo =0.03). Conclusion: first included both Overall high most notably effectiveness. percentage had receptive supportive importance cues. turn have significant administrative technological burdens coordinate comparison F2F review. qualitative provides valuable insight potential compliment traditional model following References: [1]COVID-19 Temporary Services 2020 [Available from: http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-TempBB [2]Antony A, Connelly K, De Silva T, Eades L, Tillett W, Ayoub S, Perspectives Patients With Rheumatic Diseases Early Phase COVID-19. Arthritis Care & Research. 2020;72(9):1189-95. [3]Association AR. Workforce Survey Exective Summary https://rheumatology.org.au/members/documents/WorkforceSurveyExecutiveSummary-websiteMay2019.pdf Acknowledgements: University Queensland Nursing staff Redcliffe Hospital Administration officers Northside Rheumatology Disclosure Interests: None declared