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Parental perceptions toward digital imaging and telemedicine for retinopathy of prematurity management

  • Pediatrics
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Telemedicine is an emerging technology with potential to improve care for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study evaluates parental perceptions about digital imaging and telemedicine for ROP care.

Methods

During a 1-year period, one parent of each infant who underwent wide-field retinal imaging for ROP was given a questionnaire designed to evaluate parental perceptions using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Five items assessed perceptions toward digital retinal imaging, and ten items assessed attitudes toward telemedicine. Construct validity of the questionnaire was examined using factor analysis. Responses were summarized using descriptive and correlational statistics.

Results

Forty-two parents participated. Factor analysis extracted two factors explaining 79% of the total variance in digital retinal imaging items (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.843), and three factors explaining 63% of the total variance in telemedicine items (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.631). Among digital imaging items, the highest mean (±SD) score was for “digital pictures of my child’s retinopathy should be included in the permanent medical record” (4.4 ± 0.6), and the lowest was for “digital cameras and computers are reliable” (3.8 ± 0.8). Among telemedicine items, the highest mean (±SD) score was for “technology will improve the quality of medical care for my child” (4.3 ± 0.6), and the lowest was for “technology will make it harder for a patient and doctor to establish a good relationship” (2.6 ± 1.1).

Conclusions

Parents reported positive perceptions about telemedical ROP diagnosis, but expressed some preference for face-to-face care. Telemedicine has potential to alter the nature of the patient–physician relationship.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by a Career Development Award from Research to Prevent Blindness (MFC), and by grant EY13972 from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (MFC).

Conflict of interest

The authors have no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in any of the products or companies described in this article. MFC is an unpaid member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Clarity Medical Systems (Pleasanton, CA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 635 West 165th Street, Box 92, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Joo-Yeon Lee, Osode Coki, John T. Flynn & Michael F. Chiang

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Joo-Yeon Lee

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Yunling E. Du

  4. Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Justin Starren & Michael F. Chiang

Authors
  1. Joo-Yeon Lee
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  2. Yunling E. Du
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  3. Osode Coki
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  4. John T. Flynn
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  5. Justin Starren
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  6. Michael F. Chiang
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Correspondence to Michael F. Chiang.

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The authors have full control of all primary data, and they agree to allow Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review their data upon request.

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Lee, JY., Du, Y.E., Coki, O. et al. Parental perceptions toward digital imaging and telemedicine for retinopathy of prematurity management. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 248, 141–147 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1191-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1191-6

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