Michel, Janet; Mettler, Annette; Stuber, Raphael; Müller, Martin; Ricklin, Meret E; Jent, Philipp; Hautz, Wolf E; Sauter, Thomas C (2022). Effects and utility of an online forward triage tool during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: a mixed method study and patient perspectives, Switzerland. BMJ open, 12(7), e059765. BMJ Publishing Group 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059765
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OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects (quantitatively) and the utility (qualitatively) of a COVID-19 online forward triage tool (OFTT) in a pandemic context.
DESIGN
A mixed method sequential explanatory study was employed. Quantitative data of all OFTT users, between 2 March 2020 and 12 May 2020, were collected. Second, qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews (n=19) to explain the quantitative findings, explore tool utility, user experience and elicit recommendations.
SETTING
The working group e-emergency medicine at the emergency department developed an OFTT, which was made available online.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants included all users above the age of 18 that used the OFTT between 2 March 2020 and 12 May 2020.
INTERVENTION
An OFTT that displayed the current test recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health on whether someone needed testing for COVID-19 or not. No diagnosis was provided.
RESULTS
In the study period, 6272 users consulted our OFTT; 40.2% (1626/4049) would have contacted a healthcare provider had the tool not existed. 560 participants consented to a follow-up survey and provided a valid email address. 31.4% (176/560) participants returned a complete follow-up questionnaire. 84.7% (149/176) followed the recommendations given. 41.5% (73/176) reported that their fear was allayed after using the tool. Qualitatively, seven overarching themes emerged namely (1) accessibility of tool, (2) user-friendliness of tool, (3) utility of tool as an information source, (4) utility of tool in allaying fear and anxiety, (5) utility of tool in medical decision-making (6) utility of tool in reducing the potential for onward transmissions and (7) utility of tool in reducing health system burden.
CONCLUSION
Our findings demonstrated that a COVID-19 OFTT does not only reduce the health system burden but can also serve as an information source, reduce anxiety and fear, reduce potential for cross infections and facilitate medical decision-making.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesiology (DINA) > University Emergency Center 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Haematology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Pharmacy (DOLS) > Clinic of Infectiology |
UniBE Contributor: |
Michel, Janet, Mettler, Annette, Müller, Martin (B), Ricklin, Meret Elisabeth, Jent, Philipp, Hautz, Wolf, Sauter, Thomas Christian |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
2044-6055 |
Publisher: |
BMJ Publishing Group |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Pubmed Import |
Date Deposited: |
18 Jul 2022 12:55 |
Last Modified: |
29 Mar 2023 23:38 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059765 |
PubMed ID: |
35820749 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: |
COVID-19 epidemiology public health qualitative research telemedicine |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/171307 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/171307 |
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