Caracterização dos períodos gastos para aceder a consultas subsequentes em cardiologia

: suas implicações para a planificação de prestação de cuidados

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the distribution of the effective time of the appointments in Cardiology, comparing the views of healthcare professionals and patients, and the potential advantages of medical activity at a distance. It is inserted in a perspective of adjusting services to the demands of a new type of professionals and users in the face of the potential offer of virtual services in healthcare, using the advantages of the internet and telecommunication technologies. A standardized data collection form, with 108 patients, was run out in outpatient care in cardiology and heart failure, from March 10th to 28st April of 2014. The results show that 30% of the time is spent interacting with the computer. For doctors, it is also necessary 19% for exams and 51% for talking with patients. Comparatively, in the patients’ perspective, 12% of the time is spent for exams and 57% for talking. Nurses, doctors and patients do not agree with the telemonitoring service (97.5%, 91.7% and 92.5%, respectively). However, it appears that female and with, at least, basic qualifications patients are more receptive for telemedicine. Noteworthy that 57% of work patients had to leave work, 64% needed accompanying and 18% of these also need to miss work, 50% of patients paid transport (private car / ambulance / taxi) and 34% had to take a meal away from home. On average, patients needed 48 minutes to go 30 km to the hospital. Despite all the implications of time and costs associated with moving to the hospital, healthcare professionals and patients still have reduced motivation to use the features / benefits provided by telemedicine.

Date of Award	5 Dec 2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	João Queiroz e Melo (Supervisor)