A181: Evaluating Decision-Making in a Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

Abstract Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has provided an alternative to in-person visits for patients practicing social distancing and undergoing quarantine. During this time, there has been a rapid expansion of telemedicine and its implementation in various clinical specialties and settings. In this observational study we aim to examine the utility of telemedicine in a pediatric rheumatology clinic, for 3 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A review of outpatient pediatric rheumatology telemedicine encounters were conducted from April-June 2020. Telemedicine visits (n=75) were compared to patients seen in practice over the prior year in office-based visits (March 2019-March 2020) (n=415). Patient characteristics, information on no-show visits, completed visits, new patient or follow-up status, and if new patients had received a visit within 2 weeks of calling to schedule an appointment were analyzed by chart review. An independent sample t-test and Chi Square statistic was used to determine statical significance between the two groups. A two-proportion z-test was used to compare visit metrics.Results: The percentage of new patients utilizing telemedicine (60%) was lower and statistically significant compared to the percentage of new patient office visits (84%) the previous year (p<0.0001). There was no change in no-show rate between groups and patient characteristics were similar.Conclusions: This study demonstrates a statistically significant decrease in new patient visits during the pandemic with telemedicine-only appointments compared to in-office visits over the previous year. This suggests a possible hesitation to seek care during this time. However, there was no significant difference among patient characteristics between telemedicine visits during the pandemic and during in-office visits in the previous year. In our experience, patient visits were able to be conducted via telemedicine with a limited physical exam using caregiver’s help during the pandemic. However, further studies will need to ascertain patient satisfaction and preference for telemedicine in the future.

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A165: Implementing a Risk Education Strategy for Adolescent Girls Treated with Teratogenic Medications in the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

Arthritis & Rheumatology ◽

10.1002/art.38591 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 66 ◽

pp. S213-S213

Author(s):

Ashley Cooper ◽

Heather Watters ◽

Mara L Becker

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

Rheumatology Clinic ◽

Education Strategy ◽

Risk Education ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

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25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Vitamin D Deficiency in Children with Rheumatologic Disorders and Controls

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.110123 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (9) ◽

pp. 2000-2004 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

CHRISTINA F. PELAJO ◽

JORGE M. LOPEZ-BENITEZ ◽

LAURIE C. MILLER

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Autoimmune Disorders ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rheumatology Clinic ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

25 Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

Objective.To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, as well as factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, in children attending a pediatric rheumatology clinic, and to determine whether there was a difference in serum 25(OH)D levels and in vitamin D deficiency between children with autoimmune disorders and nonautoimmune conditions.Methods.Cross-sectional analysis of serum 25(OH)D levels of patients between the ages of 2 and 19 years, seen between November 2008 and October 2009.Results.A total of 254 patients were studied (169 autoimmune disorders, 85 nonautoimmune conditions). The mean age of study patients was 12.3 years; 67% were female and 80% were white. In the autoimmune disorders group, 23% had vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml], and in the nonautoimmune conditions group 14% were vitamin D deficient. The average level of serum 25(OH)D was 28.6 (± 11) ng/ml (range 2 to 59). Age, ethnicity, body mass index, use of supplements, and season were significantly associated with serum levels of 25(OH)D (all p ≤ 0.02). The OR of patients with autoimmune disorders being vitamin D deficient was 2.3, in relation to patients with nonautoimmune conditions (p = 0.04).Conclusion.Twenty percent of patients attending a pediatric rheumatology clinic were vitamin D deficient. Patients with autoimmune disorders were more likely to be vitamin D deficient than patients with nonautoimmune conditions. Screening of serum 25(OH)D levels should be performed for patients with autoimmune disorders.

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Pilot Study of Reproductive Health Counseling in a Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

Arthritis Care & Research ◽

10.1002/acr.22159 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 631-635

Author(s):

Tova Ronis ◽

Jennifer Frankovich ◽

Sophia Yen ◽

Christy Sandborg ◽

Peter Chira

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

Rheumatology Clinic ◽

Health Counseling ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

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Elemental mercury intoxication in 7 patients admitted to a pediatric rheumatology clinic

The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.24953/turkjped.2019.05.021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

pp. 786 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ayşenur Paç Kısaarslan ◽

Betül Sözeri ◽

Funda Baştuğ ◽

Zübeyde Gündüz ◽

Sibel Yel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

Elemental Mercury ◽

Rheumatology Clinic ◽

Mercury Intoxication ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

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Utility of telemedicine in pediatric rheumatology during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

10.1186/s12969-021-00624-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ashley Perdue ◽

Charles Mullett ◽

Amna Umer ◽

Paul Rosen

Keyword(s):

Pediatric Rheumatology ◽

Chart Review ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Office Visits ◽

Chi Square ◽

Rheumatology Clinic ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has provided an alternative to in-person visits for patients practicing social distancing and undergoing quarantine. During this time, there has been a rapid expansion of telemedicine and its implementation in various clinical specialties and settings. In this observational study we aim to examine the utility of telemedicine in a pediatric rheumatology clinic, for 3 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A review of outpatient pediatric rheumatology telemedicine encounters were conducted from April–June 2020. Telemedicine visits (n = 75) were compared to patients seen in practice over the prior year in office-based visits (March 2019–March 2020) (n = 415). Patient characteristics, information on no-show visits, completed visits, new patient or follow-up status, and if new patients had received a visit within 2 weeks of calling to schedule an appointment were analyzed by chart review. An independent sample t-test and Chi Square statistic was used to determine statical significance between the two groups. A two-proportion z-test was used to compare visit metrics. Results The percentage of new patients utilizing telemedicine (60%) was lower and statistically significant compared to the percentage of new patient office visits (84%) the previous year (p < 0.0001). There was no change in no-show rate between groups and patient characteristics were similar. Conclusions This study demonstrates a statistically significant decrease in new patient visits during the pandemic with telemedicine-only appointments compared to in-office visits over the previous year. This suggests a possible hesitation to seek care during this time. However, there was no significant difference among patient characteristics between telemedicine visits during the pandemic and during in-office visits in the previous year. In our experience, patient visits were able to be conducted via telemedicine with a limited physical exam using caregiver’s help during the pandemic. However, further studies will need to ascertain patient satisfaction and preference for telemedicine in the future.

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