Telehealth in the context of COVID-19 An Analysis of Men’s Usage and Perceptions in Comparison to In-Person Healthcare

Main Article Content

Samuel Ziesing
Natasha van Antwerpen
Deborah Turnbull
Sean Martin
Tiffany Gill
Melissa Opozda

Abstract

Introduction: The rise in telehealth adoption due to the emergence of COVID-19 may have had implications for men who experience barriers to accessing traditional forms of healthcare. This study sought to explore
how a sample of older men interacted with telehealth during the pandemic.


Method: Data sourced from a cross-sectional, population-based questionnaire (completed from October 2020 to March 2021) were used to analyze the characteristics of older men’s (a) use of telehealth services, and (b) perceptions of telehealth in comparison to in-person healthcare using Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.


Results: Of the 731 participants (mean age = 69 years; SD = 9.6), 241 (32.9%) had used telehealth services during pandemic restrictions. Most of them who had used telehealth (63.1%; 152/241) thought it was “just as good” as in-person, 4.1% (10/241) believed it was “better,” and 25.7% (62/241) thought it was “worse.” Men with more chronic conditions were more likely to (a) have used telehealth (odds ratio [OR], 1.44 [95% CI, 1.21–1.71]) and (b) perceived telehealth as “better” or “just as good” as in-person healthcare (OR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.17–2.29]). Men with clinically significant depressive symptoms were more likely to view telehealth as worse than in-person care (OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.12–0.88]).


Conclusion: While telehealth is acceptable to the majority of middle-aged and older men who have used it during the pandemic, attitudes may vary according to their current health issues. Men with more chronic conditions are more likely to feel positive about telehealth, while those with clinically significant depression symptoms are more likely to view it negatively. Healthcare providers should consider men’s needs and preferences when offering telehealth services.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ziesing, S., van Antwerpen, N., Turnbull, D., Martin, S., Gill , T., & Opozda, M. (2022). Telehealth in the context of COVID-19: An Analysis of Men’s Usage and Perceptions in Comparison to In-Person Healthcare. International Journal of Mens Social and Community Health, 5(SP2), e13-e24. https://doi.org/10.22374/ijmsch.v5iSP2.97
Section
Freemasons Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing Special Issue
Author Biographies

Samuel Ziesing, Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Natasha van Antwerpen, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Deborah Turnbull, Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Sean Martin, Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Australian Institute of Family Studies, Southbank, VIC, Australia

Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Australian Institute of Family Studies, Southbank, VIC, Australia

Tiffany Gill , University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Melissa Opozda, Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Freemasons Center for Male Health and Wellbeing, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

References

1. World Health Organization. Why using a gender approach can accelerate noncommunicable disease prevention and control in the WHO European Region. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2022. Available from: https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/399063/GenderApproachAndNCDsPreventionAndControl-eng.PDF
2. Addis ME, Mahalik JR. Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking. Am Psychol 2003;58(1):5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.58.1
3. Centers for Disease Control and prevention. percentage of adults aged ≥ 18 years who have seen or talked to a doctor or other health care professional about their own health in the past 12 months, by sex and age group—National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66:65. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6602a12
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The health of Australia’s males. Report, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2022. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/male-health/contents/who-are-australias-males
5. Monaem A, Woods M, Macdonald J, Hughes R, Orchard M. Engaging men in the health system: Observations from service providers. Aust Health Rev 2007;31(2):211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah070211
6. Banks I, Baker P. Men and primary care: Improving access and outcomes. Trends Urol. Mens Health. 2013;4(5):39–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tre.357
7. Richardson E, Aissat D, Williams GA, Fahy N. Keeping what works: Remote consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eurohealth. 2020;26(2):73–6. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/336301
8. McLean S, Sheikh A, Cresswell K, Nurmatov U, Mukherjee M, Hemmi A, et al. The impact of telehealthcare on the quality and safety of care: A systematic overview. PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e71238. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0071238
9. Javanparast S, Roeger L, Reed RL. Experiences of patients with chronic diseases of access to multidisciplinary care during COVID-19 in South Australia. Aust Health Rev. 2021;45:525–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AH20328
10. Isautier JM, Copp T, Ayre J, Cvejic E, Meyerowitz-Katz G, Batcup C,et al. People’s experiences and satisfaction with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Cross-sectional survey study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(12):e24531. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/24531
11. Saab MM, O’Driscoll M, Fitzgerald S, Sahm LJ, Leahy-Warren P, Noonan B, et al. Primary healthcare professionals’ perspectives on patient help-seeking for lung cancer warning signs and symptoms: A qualitative study. BMC Prim Care. 2022;23(1):119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12875-022-01730-x
12. Kruse CS, Krowski N, Rodriguez B, Tran L, Vela J, Brooks M. Telehealth and patient satisfaction: A systematic review and narrative analysis. BMJ Open. 2017;7(8):e016242. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016242
13. Powell RE, Henstenburg JM, Cooper G, Hollander JE, Rising KL. Patient perceptions of telehealth primary care video visits. Ann Fam Med. 2017;15(3): 225–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1370/afm.2095
14. Lopriore S, Turnbull D, Martin SA. A thematic analysis of men’s help‐seeking on an Australian health helpline. Health Promot J Austr. 2021;32 Suppl 2:95–105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpja.458
15. Wong MYZ, Gunasekeran DV, Nusinovici S, Sabanayagam C, Yeo KK, Cheng CY, et al. Telehealth demand trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in the top 50 most affected countries: Infodemiological evaluation. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2021;7(2):e24445. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/24445
16. Snoswell CL, Caffery LJ, Haydon HM, Thomas EE, Smith AC. Telehealth uptake in general practice as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Aust Health Rev. 2020;44(5):737–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AH20183
17. Grant JF, Martin SA, Taylor AW, Wilson DH, Araujo A, Adams RJT, et al. Cohort profile: The Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study. Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(4):1040–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyt064
18. von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP, et al. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: Guidelines for reporting observational studies. Epidemiology. 2007;18(6):800–4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0b013e3181577654
19. Wade V, Gray L, Carati C. Theoretical frameworks in telemedicine research. J Telemed Telecare. 2017;23(1):181–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1357633X15626650
20. Andersen RM. Revisiting the behavioural model and access to medical care: Does it matter? Health Soc Behav. 1995;36(1):1–10. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2137284
21. Babitsch B, Gohl D, Von Lengerke, T. Re-revisiting Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use: A systematic review of studies from 1998–2011. Psychosoc Med. 2012;9:Doc11. http://dx.doi.org/10.3205/psm000089
22. Guzman-Clark J, Yefimova M, Farmer MM, Wakefield BJ, Viernes B, Lee ML, et al. Home telehealth technologies for heart failure: An examination of adherence among veterans. J Gerontol Nurs. 2020;46(7):26–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20200605-05
23. Kim J, You M, Shon, C. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unmet healthcare needs in Seoul, South Korea: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2021;11(8):e045845. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045845
24. Spitzer RL, Kroenke K, Williams JBW, Löwe B. A brief measure for assessing generalised anxiety disorder. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(10):1092–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092
25. Smarr KL, Keefer AL. Measures of depression and depressive symptoms: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Arthritis Care Res. 2011;63 Suppl 11:S454–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/acr.20556
26. R Core Team. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. 2021 R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. Retrieved February 6, 2022. Available from: https://www.R-project.org/
27. Van Buuren S, Groothuis-Oudshoorn K. Mice: Multivariate imputation by chained equations in R. J Stat Softw. 2011;45:1–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.18637/jss.v045.i03
28. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioural sciences. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: Taylor & Francis; 2013, pp. 25-26.
29. Cramér H. Mathematical methods of statistics (PMS-9), Volume 9. Princeton: Princeton University Press; 2016, Ch. 21.
30. Harrell FE. Regression modelling strategies: With applications to linear models, logistic regression, and survival analysis. New York: Springer-Verla; 2001, pp. 206-207.
31. Galdas PM, Cheater F, Marshall P. Men and health help-seeking behaviour: Literature review. J Adv Nurs. 2005;49(6):616–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03331.x
32. Sachs JW, Graven P, Gold JA, Kassakian SZ. Disparities in telephone and video telehealth engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMIA Open. 2021;4(3):ooab056. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab056
33. Schifeling CH, Shanbhag P, Johnson A, Atwater RC, Koljack C, Parnes BL, et al. Disparities in video and telephone visits among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional analysis. JMIR Aging. 2020;3(2):e23176. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/23176
34. Rush KL, Howlett L, Munro A, Burton L. Videoconference compared to telephone in healthcare delivery: A systematic review. Int J Med Inform. 2018;118:44–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2018.07.007
35. Atherly A, Van Den Broek-Altenburg E, Hart V, Gleason K, Carney J. Consumer reported care deferrals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role and potential of telemedicine: Cross-sectional analysis. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020;6(3):e21607. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/21607
36. Imeri H, Holmes E, Desselle S, Rosenthal M, Barnard M. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported management of chronic conditions. J Patient Exp. 2021;8:1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23743735211007693
37. Nanda M, Sharma R. A review of patient satisfaction and experience with telemedicine: A virtual solution during and beyond COVID-19 pandemic. Telemed J E Health. 2021;27(12):1325–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0570
38. Smith AC, Thomas E, Snoswell CL, Haydon H, Mehrotra A, Clemensen J, et al. Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). J Telemed Telecare. 2020;26(5):309–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1357633X20916567
39. Dorsey ER, Topol EJ. State of telehealth. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(2):154–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1601705
40. Roness A, Mykletun A, Dahl AA. Help-seeking behaviour in patients with anxiety disorder and depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2005;111(1):51–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2004.00433.x
41. Seidler ZE, Rice SM, Ogrodniczuk JS, Oliffe JL, Dhillon HM. Engaging men in psychological treatment: A scoping review. Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(6):1882–900. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1557988318792157
42. Ali NA, Khoja A, Kazim F. Role of the telemental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2021;32(4):275–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.5080/u26021
43. Batsis JA, Dimilia PR, Seo LM, Fortuna KL, Kennedy MA, Blunt HB, et al. Effectiveness of ambulatory telemedicine care in older adults: A systematic review. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019;67(8):1737–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15959
44. Smith JA, Braunack-Mayer A, Wittert G. What do we know about men’s help-seeking and health service use? Med J Aust. 2006;184(2):871–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00124.x
45. Cho D, Khalil S, Kamath M, Wilhalme H, Lewis A, Moore M, et al. Evaluating factors of greater patient satisfaction with outpatient cardiology telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardiovasc Digit Health J. 2021;2(6):312–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvdhj.2021.10.005
46. Mason AN, Brown M, Mason K. Telemedicine patient satisfaction dimensions moderated by patient demographics. Healthcare. 2022;10(6):1029. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061029
47. Russell SW, Artandi MK. Approach to the telemedicine physical examination: Partnering with patients. Med J Aust. 2022;216(3):131–4. http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51398