User satisfaction with maritime telemedicine

Abstract

We assessed the satisfaction of onboard caregivers with the maritime telehealth service provided by the Centre de Consultations Médicales Maritimes (CCMM). We conducted a survey of captains and caregivers by email. Of the 385 surveys sent out, 165 (43%) were completed. Eighty four percent of responders ( n = 110) thought that waiting time was satisfactory or very satisfactory, and 97% ( n = 128) were satisfied or very satisfied with their relationship with the remote physician. Thirty eight per cent of participants ( n = 50) considered that the physician understood the medical problem very well; understanding was good in 58% of cases ( n = 76) and bad in only 4% of cases ( n = 5). Sixty two per cent of participants ( n = 83) sent pictures before consultation. The respondents were also satisfied with the telephone advice overall, the competence of the physicians providing the advice, the length of time spent waiting, the verbal prescription and the medical advice given. Onboard caregivers were generally well satisfied with the maritime teleconsultations and the advice provided by the CCMM physicians.