Study on the Accessibility of Teleconsultation Booths in Vierzon Pharmacies: a qualitative study of patient perceptions ; L’accessibilité des cabines de téléconsultation dans les pharmacies de Vierzon : une étude qualitative du ressenti des patients

Background: Medical deserts are a problem affecting the whole of France, but the department of Cher is particularly affected. Vierzon, which is the second most important city in the department, is struggling to renew its general practitioners. More and more pharmacies are deciding to equip themselves with teleconsultation booths to compensate for this deficit in healthcare provision. The purpose of this study is to explore patients' feelings regarding the accessibility to these teleconsultation booths present in the pharmacies of Vierzon. Method: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with patients recruited from pharmacies in Vierzon following teleconsultations. Results: Eleven interviews were conducted. The sample is close to gender parity, with an average age of 57, divided between working and retired individuals, half of whom do not have a regular general practitioner. The participants, mainly from Vierzon, use teleconsultation for common general medicine reasons, appreciating its convenience for quick care despite some reservations about the lack of physical interaction. Faced with alternatives such as SOS Médecin (emergency doctor services) or the emergency room, which are often inaccessible or inadequate, teleconsultation in pharmacies has become the default option, supported by the equipment and assistance of pharmacy staff. The technology, although perceived differently depending on patients' familiarity with digital tools, tends to be accepted despite reservations. In terms of the relational aspect, the patient-doctor dynamic fluctuates between satisfaction and reluctance due to impersonality, while the pharmacist-patient relationship is strengthened by teleconsultation, establishing a framework of trust and comfort despite the inherent limitations of this mode of consultation. Conclusion: Pharmacy teleconsultation meets the demand for immediate care from patients in Vierzon, although the direct doctor-patient interaction is reduced. The study shows a favorable but cautious ...