Telemedicine for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic; a positive experience in the Netherlands.

ABSTRACT: To describe the delivery of care for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) from the perspective of rheumatologists in the Netherlands during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed methods design was used with quantitative and qualitative data from a cross-sectional survey sent to all members of the Dutch Rheumatology Society in May 2020. The survey contained questions on demographics, the current way of care delivery, and also on usage, acceptance, facilitators and barriers of telemedicine. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. The answers to the open questions were categorized into themes. Seventy-five respondents completed the survey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, continuity of care was guaranteed through telephone and video consultations by 99%

SUBMITTER: Bos WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7809638 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature