OBJECTIVES: Since satisfaction for telemedicine is ill-defined (Mair, 2000) and no standard measurement tool is available, we developed a self-administered Questionnaire of the Satisfaction for Telemedicine (QueST). METHODS: Domains of satisfaction were: 1) global satisfaction; 2) user-friendliness; 3) relationship with the medical center; 4) coping; 5) everyday life; 6) expectations about telemedicine; and 7) detailed judgment. Answers were provided through a 4-5 degrees Likert scale; the overall score was standardized to a maximum value of 100. After a probe technique, the final QueST was administered to 26 patients on telemonitoring (transmission of subjective/objective data to an automatic call center or web server) for peritoneal dialysis or heart failure. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 57.3 years (range 43-74); 81% were males. Electronic devices (cellular phone or teletext) were daily used by 73% of the patients, but computer by only 34% of them. Mean satisfaction score was 72 (48-91): 29% of the patients were highly satisfied with telemedicine either by considering those with an overall score >=80 or by assessing the answer in the first domain. However, a detailed elicitation of patients judgement on telemedicine showed that 60% of them were very satisfied with it. Some users (24%) declared to have some practical difficulties with telemedicine but 88% of them expected a future benefit from telemedicine. Both the relations with the referral center, quality of daily life and coping ability improved during the period on telemedicine in 73%, 77%, 81% of the patients, respectively. Willingness to pay for one year of telemedicine was on average €81: 22% of the patients were willing to pay for more than €90. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptability of telemedicine is high and its impact over the perceived quality of care is relevant. Nevertheless, patients are willing to have this service included into their usual health care with no or little extra costs. From the patients perspective, telemedicine should be implemented by the National Health Care System.