Telemedicine: An Effective Tool for Patient-Physician Communication
Authors
Sabetian PW, Ouyang VW, Fox JD, Jimenez AE, Ankem HK, Saks BR, Maldonado DR, Lall AC, Domb BG
Journal
Orthopedics, May 2023
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine became an important tool for continuing patient care. This study evaluated the effectiveness of telemedicine for orthopedic hip patients during that time.
Methods
- 163 patients had telemedicine visits between March and September 2020.
- Patients were categorized into presurgical and postsurgical groups.
- Effectiveness was measured by whether follow-up visits were required after telemedicine consultations.
Key Findings
- All patients were compliant with scheduled follow-up visits after telemedicine consultations.
- 27% of presurgical patients were identified as needing surgical treatment, while 59% visited to review imaging results.
Conclusions
Telemedicine proved to be an effective and reliable tool for maintaining patient-physician communication, eliminating the need for in-person visits unless necessary.
What Does This Mean For Patients
Telemedicine visits can be a convenient and efficient way to stay in touch with your doctor, especially during times when in-person visits are difficult or not required.