Willingness-to-Pay Stated Preferences for Telemedicine Versus In-Person Visits in Patients with a History of Psoriasis or Melanoma

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate willingness-to-pay stated preferences for telemedicine versus in-person clinic visits in patients with a history of psoriasis or melanoma. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 92 (n = 92) adult participants with a history of psoriasis or melanoma recruited primarily from hospital-based dermatology practices. Data were collected on patient demographics and willingness-to-pay responses. In a combined analysis for patients with melanoma and psoriasis, 73% of participants preferred telemedicine over in-person visits if access to the physician was quicker. The majority of those choosing telemedicine (95%) were also willing to pay a median of 25 dollars(5 dollars-500 dollars) out-of-pocket. When time to see a physician was held constant for telemedicine and in-person visits, 19% of participants preferred telemedicine and about 58% of these participants were willing to pay a median of 25 dollars(10 dollars-125 dollars) out-of-pocket. This preliminary work suggests that dermatology patients prefer telemedicine if this modality provides quicker access to their physician.

Pilot Study of Providing Online Care in a Primary Care Setting

“…23 Isolated reports of the use of online consultations have been disappointing. For example, despite indications that electronic communication could decrease health care costs 24 and provide reimbursement from patients, 25,26 Fairview Health System has reported only 10 e-visits per week in a system with 400 physicians, 27 and Blue Cross of Studies have not described a portal for online patient consultations that has a structured medical history. Structured computerized histories were first described in the 1960s by Mayne et al 28 and Slack et al 29 Their work included using the telephone and teletype with patients from distant locations providing their histories.…”

Review of Use of Digital Health in Melanoma Post-Treatment Care for Rural and Remote Communities (Preprint)

“…Patients perceived digital health as an added value to their post-treatment care [15][16][17]20,25]. However, a majority of the studies reported the benefits of digital interventions to prevent recurrence and promote early detection [15][16]20].…”

“…[15], a web-based platform (OIN TM ) to deliver information about melanoma [16], and store-and-forward tele-consultation [25]. The latter used a Willing-To-Pay (WTP) approach in order to investigate dermatology patients' preferences.…”

“…The interviews were recorded by the researchers, transcribed verbatim, coded and reviewed by one or several co-researchers in order to cluster by themes/concepts of the participants' answers. The quantitative studies assessed the perception and preferences of dermatology patients about the use of technology for self-monitoring and TSSE[15], a web-based platform (OIN TM ) to deliver information about melanoma [16], and store-and-forward tele-consultation [25]. The latter used a Willing-To-Pay (WTP) approach in order to investigate dermatology patients' preferences.…”

“…Simple measures such as receiving a reminder to perform TSSE by text message or email, having access to informative videos, or using smartphone apps for selfmonitoring, reduced anxiety and reinforced TSSE [15,17,20]. These technologies could also be used to address the need for better quality and greater consistency in information provided to melanoma patients [20].The study by Quereshi and colleagues reported that patients' attitude toward telemedicine was generally positive if it showed convenience (58% well willing to pay up to US$125P), but almost universally positive if it gave a quicker access to their clinicians (95% of the patients were willing to pay up to US$500) [25]. The study by Horsham and colleagues emphasised that survivors showed positive attitude towards a digital health application that allowed them to monitor quality of life and provided tailored information and advice [27].…”