An evaluation of satisfaction with telemedicine among health-care professionals

A survey was conducted among non-doctor health-care professionals in six ru ral counties in Missouri. The purpose of the survey was to establish baseli ne data to evaluate the effect of changes in the health-care sector, especi ally technology changes, on the job satisfaction, career satisfaction, rela tionships and communication activities of health professionals. The survey included three rural counties in which integrated telecommunication and int eractive video telemedicine services were being installed, but before signi ficant activities had begun, and three comparator counties without substant ial integrated telecommunications infrastructure and telemedicine services. During a one-month study period, 1108 questionnaires were distributed. The total response rate was 50.1% (n= 555). Of the respondents, 30.3% indicate d that technology in health-care was having a large effect on their work, a lthough only 18.2% indicated that telemedicine and telecommunications were having a large effect. No systematic differences were found among the healt h professionals in the two communities at the time telemedicine equipment w as being installed.