Attitudes of Primary Caregivers of Children whose Family Doctor is a Pediatric Clinician toward Online Medical Treatment Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To clarify whether primary caregivers prefer to use telemedicine, and to examine their attitudes toward telemedicine amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted with primary caregivers of children who regularly visited a pediatric clinic. The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: The findings revealed that 67.7% of primary caregivers were concerned about regular outpatient visits. Anxiety about going to the hospital was significantly higher among those who were familiar with telemedicine than in those who never had. Approximately 35% of the caregivers reported using telemedicine. Most users began using telemedicine in May and June of 2020. They regarded this practice as satisfactory and cited the “decrease in the risk of transmission of infectious disease” as their main motivation for using it. The majority of those who had never used telemedicine had negative perceptions of telemedicine because they preferred to experience the “reassurance of in-person communication with physicians.” Conclusions: These results suggest the necessity of improving communication and developing a satisfactory relationship. It is also important to develop a telemedicine system which primary caregivers feel comfortable using and to maintain regular child care consultations.