SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Patient Preferences for Telemedicine Video Visit Backgrounds and Elements

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This cross-sectional survey study, conducted from February to October 2022 in two Michigan referral healthcare systems (University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs), examined patient preferences for telemedicine video visit backgrounds. Researchers surveyed a random sample of adults with an outpatient visit in the prior year and registrants from a digital health research recruitment platform. Participants viewed photographs of a physician in different virtual environments and rated the backgrounds against a solid-color reference.<br /><br />A total of 1,213 patients responded, for a 30% response rate. Slightly more than half were age 65 or older, and 53.3% were female. Compared with the overall sample, Veterans were more likely to be men, older, less educated, and lower income.<br /><br />Overall, patients preferred more professional-looking backgrounds. An office with diplomas received the highest ratings across physician types, followed by office and exam-room settings. In contrast, bedroom and kitchen backgrounds were significantly less preferred. The study found that 77.4% of respondents preferred in-person visits over telemedicine. Among telemedicine-related barriers, lack of internet access or equipment, discomfort with video visits, and technological limitations were more common among Veterans.<br /><br />The authors conclude that this is the first study to directly examine patient preferences for telemedicine background environments. The findings suggest that traditional healthcare or office-like settings, especially those displaying diplomas, are viewed most favorably, while informal home settings such as bedrooms and kitchens should be avoided. The study also highlights that barriers to telemedicine may be linked to sociodemographic differences, particularly among Veterans.

Asset Subtitle

Nathan Houchens

Meta Tag

Author List David Ratz, Jason Engle, Jennifer Meddings, Latoya Kuhn, Nathan Houchens, Sanjay Saint

Category Research

Concept Telemedicine

Concept Physician Video Visit

Concept Patient Preference

Concept Virtual Background

Concept Patient Rating

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Michigan and Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System

Presenting Author Nathan Houchens

Track Other

Keywords

telemedicine

video visit backgrounds

patient preferences

cross-sectional survey

Michigan healthcare systems

virtual environments

office with diplomas

Veterans Affairs patients

telemedicine barriers

in-person visit preference

Telemedicine

Physician Video Visit

Patient Preference

Virtual Background

Patient Rating