Attitudes and Perceptions of Postgraduate Residents and Fellows in Telemedicine Services at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy

Purpose: To assess attitudes and perceptions of postgraduate residents and fellows participating in a telemedicine clinic providing services to HIV positive inmates incarcerated within the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Methods: Postgraduate residents and fellows participating in either a longitudinal or concentrated month of HIV telemedicine were asked a 15-question survey to assess perceptions of telemedicine prior to entering the telemedicine clinic.  Demographics, telemedicine knowledge, and anticipated uses and concerns were evaluated at baseline.  Upon completion of their rotation, an 8-question post-test survey was administered.  Attitudes and concerns toward telemedicine were assessed upon completion.

Results: The survey results (n=6) indicated that telemedicine was appropriate for providing medical care for common and chronic illnesses, as well as infectious diseases (n=6, 100%).  Those participating in the survey felt the quality of medical care via telemedicine was the same as an in person visit (n=5, 83%), while 2 out of 6 participants felt that telemedicine should not replace face-to-face visits.  All participants perceived telemedicine as a better health management tool for the future.  All participants felt their skills as a clinical pharmacist were highly utilized (100%) with 5 out of 6 participants reporting no difficulties with communicating with the patients.    

Conclusion: Those participating in post-graduate training at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy, were highly satisfied with their clinical abilities to provide patient care, management, and education of HIV infection and antiretrovirals within the Illinois Department of Corrections.