Feasibility and Acceptability of a Model Disaster Teleconsultation System for Regional Disaster Health Response

• Published in: Telemedicine journal and e-health Vol. 29; no. 4; p. 625
• Main Authors: Boyle, Tehnaz P, Ludy, Stephanie, Meguerdichian, David, Dugas, Julianne N, Drainoni, Mari-Lynn, Litvak, Mark, Bedenbaugh, Rachel T, Schmidt, Lauren, Miller, Kathryn, Biddinger, Paul D, Goralnick, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Disaster Planning; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Mass Casualty Incidents; Remote Consultation; Reproducibility of Results; Telemedicine; Triage - methods; telemedicine; disaster medicine; mass casualty incidents; regional medical programs; teleconsultation
• ISSN: 1556-3669
• DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0103

The federally funded Region 1 Regional Disaster Health Response System (RDHRS) and the American Burn Association partnered to develop a model regional disaster teleconsultation system within a Medical Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) to support triage and specialty consultation during a no-notice mass casualty incident. Our objective was to test the acceptability and feasibility of a prototype model system in simulated disasters as proof of concept. We conducted a mixed-methods simulation study using the Technology Acceptance Model framework. Participating physicians completed the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and semistructured interviews after simulations. TUQ item scores rating the model system were highest for usefulness and satisfaction, and lowest for interaction quality and reliability. We found high model acceptance, but desire for a simpler, more reliable technology interface with better audiovisual quality for low-frequency, high-stakes use. Future work will emphasize technology interface quality and reliability, automate coordinator roles, and field test the model system.