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Usability of Virtual Visits for the Routine Clinical Care of Trans Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Youth and Caregiver Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Carolina Silva

    (Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

  • Alex Fung

    (Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

  • Michael A. Irvine

    (Biostatistics Core, Clinical Research Support Unit, BC Children’s Research Institute, 938 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada)

  • Shabnam Ziabakhsh

    (Women’s Health Research Institute, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada)

  • Brenden E. Hursh

    (Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital and University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada)

Abstract

We evaluated families’ perspectives on the usability of virtual visits for routine gender care for trans youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey, which included a validated telehealth usability questionnaire, was sent to families who had a virtual Gender Clinic visit between March and August 2020. A total of 87 participants completed the survey (28 trans youth, 59 caregivers). Overall, usability was rated highly, with mean scores between “quite a bit” and “completely” in all categories (usefulness, ease of use, interface and interaction quality, reliability, and satisfaction). Caregivers reported higher usability scores compared to trans youth [mean (SD) 3.43 (0.80) vs. 3.12 (0.93), p = 0.01]. All families felt that virtual visits provided for their healthcare needs. A total of 100% of youth and caregivers described virtual appointments as safer or as safe as in-person visits. A total of 94% of participants would like virtual visits after the pandemic; families would choose a mean of two virtual and one yearly in-person visit with a multidisciplinary team. Overall, virtual gender visits for trans youth had impressive usability. Participants perceived virtual visits to be safe. For the future, a combination of virtual and in-person multidisciplinary visits is the most desired model.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolina Silva & Alex Fung & Michael A. Irvine & Shabnam Ziabakhsh & Brenden E. Hursh, 2021. "Usability of Virtual Visits for the Routine Clinical Care of Trans Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Youth and Caregiver Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11321-:d:666788
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lovro Markovic & Daragh T. McDermott & Sinisa Stefanac & Radhika Seiler-Ramadas & Darina Iabloncsik & Lee Smith & Lin Yang & Kathrin Kirchheiner & Richard Crevenna & Igor Grabovac, 2021. "Experiences and Interactions with the Healthcare System in Transgender and Non-Binary Patients in Austria: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-13, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Judith Bacchus Cornelius & Jaleesa Marshay Smoot, 2022. "The Impact of Technology on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-3, July.

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