Attitudes Toward Telehealth Visits Among Spanish- and English-Speaking Patients in a Safety-Net Gynecological Oncology Clinic

Abstract

Objective:

To compare patient attitudes toward and ability to complete telehealth visits between Spanish- and English-speaking patients in a gynecologic oncology clinic at an urban safety-net hospital.

Methods:

The data for this study comes from a series of interviews conducted among patients who received gynecologic oncology care at a safety-net hospital in California from August through September 2020 and January through February 2021. Questions were based on the California Consumer Assessment Survey Instrument by the California Health Care Foundation. These were supplemented by categorical questions addressing telehealth access variables and overall patient experience.

Results:

A total of 117 patients completed the survey in Spanish and 94 in English, most of whom were seen for face-to-face visits. Patient satisfaction was high regardless of visit modality or language. Patients who completed the survey in Spanish were more likely to believe that an in-person visit was better than a phone visit and to think that the provider at an in-person visit listened carefully. Spanish-speaking patients were less likely to be scheduled for a telehealth visit at their next appointment. Access to the tools needed to complete a telehealth visit was generally good among both groups, though Spanish-speaking patients were less likely to be able to install a telehealth app.

Conclusions:

While surveyed patients reported a high degree of satisfaction as well as the ability and willingness to complete telehealth visits, Spanish-speaking patients may prefer in-person care.