Patient satisfaction towards telemedicine services at the satellite centre of tribal health and research in district Sirohi Rajasthan, India-a mixed method study

This mixed-method study evaluates patient satisfaction towards telemedicine services at the Satellite Centre for Tribal Health and Research (STHR) in district Sirohi, Rajasthan, India. Telemedicine delivers remote medical care using technology, improving healthcare access for marginalised communities in tribal areas. This telemedicine centre at STHR aimed to provide high-quality healthcare services through telemedicine to the tribal population in the region. Conducted from February 6, 2022, to May 31, 2024, the study involved 4570 tribal patients, with 3704 (81%) responding to a satisfaction survey using Telehealth Satisfaction Survey (TeSS) rated on a 3-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and qualitative data were collected via open-ended questionnaires and focus group discussions. The median age of respondents was 32 years, with 58.6% being male. Satisfaction scores ranged from 2.00 for voice quality to 2.31 for the courtesy of telemedicine staff, indicating a generally high satisfaction level. Thematic analysis identified key themes such as convenience, accessibility, and communication, despite challenges like internet connectivity issues. Healthcare service satisfaction among patients helps in building and maintaining sustainable services and is also one of the key factors for service utilization. The telemedicine initiative at Satellite Centre for Tribal Health and Research has high satisfaction levels that underscore the potential of telemedicine to meet the healthcare needs of marginalized communities, provided technological and communication barriers are addressed.