Telemedicine Gets High Marks for Follow-Ups After Surgery

Patients who had video follow-up sessions were equally as satisfied with their care as those who went to the office, according to researchers. They also enjoyed the time saved by not having to drive or wait in a doctor's office.
During the height of the epidemic, many medical appointments were moved to online platforms, bringing "telemedicine" into the forefront. However, telemedicine has been available for a long time, and the latest research was done before the pandemic.
It adds to proof that virtual sessions can suffice even after surgery, according to the researchers.

Dr. Caroline Reinke, a senior researcher and associate professor of surgery at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., said, "It's safe, and you'll get fantastic treatment." "Virtual and in-person visits are both excellent choices."
Of course, there are situations when a traditional visit is required, such as when patients require staples or sutures to be removed, according to Reinke.
All of the patients in this study received one of two relatively straightforward procedures: appendix or gallbladder removal with little invasive surgery.
"However, we've seen with COVID that virtual visits can be applied to other procedures as well," said Kristen Harkey, a nurse practitioner at Atrium and study co-author.
More patients and physicians have been comfortable with video appointments since the outbreak began, she said. "I think there's been a shift," Harkey remarked.
289 individuals who had appendix or gallbladder surgery between 2017 and March 2020 were included in the study, which was just published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
To see how patients were doing after surgery, participants were randomly allocated to either a video-based or an office session. They then filled out surveys about their experience.
Overall, both groups of patients were satisfied with their care. Virtual patients, on the other hand, were more likely to take the same route again: 79 percent said they would prefer virtual for future follow-ups, compared to less than half of office patients who said they would pick in-person appointments.
The virtual group, unsurprisingly, appreciated the convenience: they were spared the most inconvenient aspects of the in-person group's experience: the commute, finding parking, and waiting in the waiting room.
Virtual visits, on the other hand, were not always easy. Around 27% of patients had technical challenges with the platform, such as trouble utilising it or inconsistent internet connections. Another issue was that scheduling an appointment was often difficult because doctors only devote certain hours to virtual care.
The platform has been modified to address those vulnerabilities since the study, according to Harkey.
Dr. Scott Nguyen is a surgeon at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital. Patients and providers have become more comfortable with virtual encounters as a result of the pandemic, he agreed.
Importantly, insurance companies have "came around" and are now covering them, according to Nguyen.
"We're almost all having hybrid appointments now," said Nguyen, who wasn't part in the research.
Virtual visits, he said, are ideal for "one and done" follow-ups like those required after a routine appendix removal.
Nguyen, on the other hand, wants at least one face-to-face appointment for more intricate treatments.
Virtual visits, however, can play a role in those situations as well. Nguyen specialises in bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, which requires patients to attend several follow-up appointments over time, some of which can be completed online.
Virtual visits, according to Nguyen, have been especially useful for providing nutrition guidance following bariatric surgery.
The convenience is evident, according to Nguyen, who points out that many patients must drive a significant distance for visits, which can necessitate taking time off work or arranging child care.
Harkey pointed out that online visits can also be beneficial for older persons who have problems moving around or rely on family members for transportation. While younger people have an easier time with technology, many older persons have mastered it as well. Others, she said, enlist the assistance of their grandchildren.
Even when people become more comfortable with virtual care, some people still prefer face-to-face connection, according to Nguyen.
"Televisits are here to stay," he added, adding that they "certainly provide a degree of convenience." "However, they will not be able to take the place of face-to-face care."

Additional information
More information on telemedicine can be found at the Nepal Department of Health and Human Services.