Development and validation of the Telehealth Etiquette Competency Checklist: A Delphi study

BackgroundProviding telehealth care requires unique professionalism skills (i.e. telehealth etiquette) to ensure patients have a positive experience. Given the effect of patient-provider relationships on healthcare outcomes and the limited evidence for healthcare professionals to learn and practice these skills, developing a telehealth etiquette competency tool is necessary.MethodsThis multiround Delphi study utilized subject matter experts' opinions to validate a telehealth etiquette competency checklist, using Lawshe's content validity measurements. Panelists were diverse in professional backgrounds, years of experience, telehealth teaching, clinical experience, and involvement in telehealth professional society and governmental policy making.ResultsConsensus and validation were achieved on the checklist by the 17 panelists in Round 1 for 19 of 20 competencies. Following revisions based on their expert opinions, consensus was achieved by all 16 panelists in Round 2 for 20 competencies.DiscussionThe Telehealth Etiquette Competency Checklist (TECC) provides a validated telehealth etiquette tool that can be used by health professionals to improve their telehealth videoconsultations, thus enhancing patient satisfaction.