scholarly journals 551 Patient Satisfaction with Telephone Consultations in A One-Stop Breast Clinic During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Phyu ◽  
R Bunza ◽  
R Vashisht ◽  
M Barkeji ◽  
D Elfadl
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Triple Assessment

Abstract Aim Telemedicine has gained an important role in medical practice lately, particularly in the outpatient setting. In our unit, virtual consultations were previously used for results clinics only. However, the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic necessitated change of practice to address issues of triage, infection control, cancer target times, and decreased capacity in the face of maintained demand. New patients underwent a telephone consultation followed by a clinic visit one week afterwards to complete triple assessment. We aimed to assess patient satisfaction with the phone consultation and subsequent care. Method Patients referred from general practice to the Breast Unit at West Middlesex University Hospital, who had a telephone appointment in the period 15/04/2020 to 15/07/2020, were included. The study was registered with the Clinical governance department. Patients received text messages with anonymised links to an online survey and were contacted over the telephone to explain the survey. Results 219 successful phone calls were made to eligible patients, and 126 patients responded to the survey (57.5%). 78% felt that they were able to express all or most of their concerns over the phone. 86% spent less than 2 hours in clinic. 87% felt social distancing and safety measures were adequate. More than 75% were overall satisfied with their care. Conclusions We further discuss responses to this survey. Patients were largely satisfied; however, areas of improvement were identified, and changes need to be made to ensure telemedicine is used to its full potential and is appropriately incorporated in the post COVID-19 practice.

scholarly journals TP10.2.9The effect of COVID-19 on Breast clinic follow ups – a change in future practice?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Norman ◽  
Lilia Ragad ◽  
Anupama Nagarajakumar ◽  
Maryam Alam Khan ◽  
Michal Uhercik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Hospital ◽  
Electronic Patient Records ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Video Telephone ◽  
Malignant Breast ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Future Practice

Abstract Aims Prior to March 2020, at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), Kings College NHS Foundation Trust, almost daily face to face benign/malignant breast clinic follow ups occurred. On March 23rd 2020 the UK went into official COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The effect on elective follow up practice was swift with cancellation, triaging and replacement of face-to-face by telephonic/virtual consultations. We compared the change of follow up pattern, pre and post COVID-19. Could this effect the future of consultations at PRUH? Methods A comparison of all patients attending PRUH breast unit outpatients in January 2020 (preCOVID-19) for follow up, with those attending in April 2020 (postCOVID-19). Data collection from clinic lists and electronic patient records, with Excel version 16 analysis. Results 343 patient follow up consultations 01/2020. 53 patient follow up consultations 04/2020. Malignant cases: January 65%, April 60% Benign/B3 cases: January 35%, April 20% Summary follow up types. Conclusions Impact of COVID has been widespread in our practice. Our results show a significant reduction in face-to-face appointments, to allow social distancing. Further evaluation of this model will show its sustainability. Patient satisfaction will have to be assessed, with a view to a full move to video/telephone consultation where indicated.

scholarly journals Managing the 2-Week Wait for Breast Patients

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rishi Singhal ◽  
Ravi Marudanayagam ◽  
B Balasubramanian ◽  
IS Paterson
Keyword(s):  
Fast Track ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Breast Clinic ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Audit System ◽  
Referral Criteria ◽  
Triple Assessment ◽  
Set Up

INTRODUCTION Published data suggest that the 2-week wait system and triple assessment at one fast-track clinic visit is an out-dated method of capturing disease from a referral population. These studies report up to 32% of breast cancer coming from routine referrals. It has been recommended, therefore, that all breast referrals should be seen within 2 weeks. The sheer volume of referrals are likely to prevent this target being achieved. The aim of this study was to analyse the performance of our fast-track system. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull fast-track clinics were set up in 1999 with a prospective audit system. The data from this audit were retrospectively analysed and cross-referenced with the cancer data base to determine the referral origin of breast cancers from November 1999 to February 2005. RESULTS A total of 14,303 (fast-track, n = 6678; routine referral, n = 7625) patients were seen over a 5-year period. Overall, 1095 cancers (91.8% of the total) came from the fast-track clinics which had a pick-up rate of 16.4% compared with 98 cancers (8.2% of the total) and a pick-up rate of 1.3% for routine referrals (P < 0.001). The appropriateness of fast-track referral was also analysed which showed that 14.4% of cancers were detected if the referral criteria were met compared to 0.55% if they were inappropriate (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The traditional fast-track, triple assessment breast clinic is an efficient and well-structured way of diagnosing disease. We recommend that the two system referral pattern should continue.

scholarly journals How smartphone usage correlates with social anxiety and loneliness

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusong Gao ◽  
Ang Li ◽  
Tingshao Zhu ◽  
Xiaoqian Liu ◽  
Xingyun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
The University

Introduction:Early detection of social anxiety and loneliness might be useful to prevent substantial impairment in personal relationships. Understanding the way people use smartphones can be beneficial for implementing an early detection of social anxiety and loneliness. This paper examines different types of smartphone usage and their relationships with people with different individual levels of social anxiety or loneliness.Methods:A total of 127 Android smartphone volunteers participated in this study, all of which have agreed to install an application (MobileSens) on their smartphones, which can record user’s smartphone usage behaviors and upload the data into the server. They were instructed to complete an online survey, including the Interaction Anxiousness Scale (IAS) and the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). We then separated participants into three groups (high, middle and low) based on their scores of IAS and UCLA-LS, respectively. Finally, we acquired digital records of smartphone usage from MobileSens and examined the differences in 105 types of smartphone usage behaviors between high-score and low-score group of IAS/UCLA-LS.Results:Individuals with different scores on social anxiety or loneliness might use smartphones in different ways. For social anxiety, compared with users in low-score group, users in high-score group had less number of phone calls (incoming and outgoing) (Mann-Whitney U= 282.50∼409.00,p< 0.05), sent and received less number of text messages in the afternoon (Mann-Whitney U= 391.50∼411.50,p< 0.05), used health & fitness apps more frequently (Mann-Whitney U= 493.00,p< 0.05) and used camera apps less frequently (Mann-Whitney U= 472.00,p< 0.05). For loneliness, users in low-score group, users in high-score group had less number of phone calls (incoming and outgoing) (Mann-Whitney U= 305.00∼407.50,p< 0.05) and used following apps more frequently: health & fitness (Mann-Whitney U= 510.00,p< 0.05), system (Mann-Whitney U= 314.00,p< 0.01), phone beautify (Mann-Whitney U= 385.00,p< 0.05), web browser (Mann-Whitney U= 416.00,p< 0.05) and social media (RenRen) (Mann-Whitney >U= 388.50,p< 0.01).Discussion:The results show that individuals with social anxiety or loneliness receive less incoming calls and use healthy applications more frequently, but they do not show differences in outgoing-call-related features. Individuals with higher levels of social anxiety also receive less SMSs and use camera apps less frequently, while lonely individuals tend to use system, beautify, browser and social media (RenRen) apps more frequently.Conclusion:This paper finds that there exists certain correlation among smartphone usage and social anxiety and loneliness. The result may be useful to improve social interaction for those who lack social interaction in daily lives and may be insightful for recognizing individual levels of social anxiety and loneliness through smartphone usage behaviors.

scholarly journals A remotely-delivered community action project to promote a diabetes lifestyle intervention programme in northwest London: basis, process and outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-255
Author(s):  
Sharan J Kapadia ◽  
Yu Gao ◽  
Ewa Cumming
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Teaching Evaluation ◽  
Information Leaflet ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Action Project

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in London is rising, obesity being a major driver. As part of a primary care placement, the authors (two medical students and a lead general practitioner) directly promoted the Reducing Weight with Intensive Dietary Support (REWIND) programme to patients in Northwest London and collected feedback on the promotion. Methods: The team developed and delivered three remote interventions: a redesigned patient-facing information leaflet, phone calls and text messages, and a live, interactive webinar, to directly engage patients and raise awareness about REWIND. Feedback was collected pre and post-webinar using an anonymised, online survey (essentially functioning as a ‘teaching’ evaluation). Results: Mean interest in REWIND had increased from 2.7 (pre-promotion) to 4.7 (post-promotion), knowledge about REWIND had increased from 2.1 to 4, and self-reported likelihood of enrolling had increased from 2.6 to 4.2 (P<0.01 in all cases). The reported usefulness of the leaflet and webinar was scored 3.7 and 4.4 respectively. Within two weeks of the webinar, two of these patients had joined REWIND. Conclusion: Feedback from the patients and GP revealed that the project successfully raised awareness, improved knowledge, and increased the likelihood of enrolment in REWIND. Diabetes programmes and organisations are encouraged to adapt the methods of this project to their own contexts, especially in light of COVID-19 where remote interventions will remain essential.

scholarly journals Using Telemedicine to Pre-Screen Sports Medicine Patients in the Ambulatory Setting Reduces Wait Times and Maximizes Provider-Patient Interaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0041
Author(s):  
Alfred Atanda ◽  
Kathryn Leyden ◽  
Medical Student
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Visit Time ◽  
Medicine Clinic ◽  
Exam Room ◽  
Room Time

Objectives: Gathering of background information during a clinic visit can be time-consuming. Some medical specialties have workflows that pre-screen patients ahead of time to minimize delays. Having background information ahead of time may decrease delays and ensure that the visit is focused on physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment. We have used telemedicine to treat established patients to reduce cost and resource utilization, while maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction. It is conceivable that telemedicine could also be used to pre-screen new patients prior to their in-person clinic visit. The goal of the current study was to evaluate whether utilizing telemedicine to pre-screen new patients to our sports medicine clinic would reduce time in the exam room waiting and being seen, and overall clinic times. Methods: From June 2018 through August 2018, we utilized videoconferencing telemedicine to pre-screen all new patients to a pediatric sports medicine clinic with a chief diagnosis of knee pain. Visits were performed by full-time telemedicine pediatricians who were provided appropriate training and an intake form describing which questions should be asked. All visits utilized the American Well software platform (Boston, USA) and were performed on the patient’s personal device. During the subsequent in-person visit, the overall timing of the visit was recorded including: time checked in, time waiting in waiting room, time waiting in exam room, time spent with provider, and time-checked out, were all recorded. Similar time points were recorded for matched control patients that did not undergo telemedicine pre-screening and were seen in the traditional manner. Inclusion criteria included: being brand new to the practice and unilateral knee pain. Results: There were eight pre-screened patients and ten control patients in this cohort. Compared to controls, pre-screened patients spent less time in the exam room (19 min vs. 31 min), higher percentage of the exam room time with the provider (58% vs. 34%), higher percentage of the overall visit time with the provider (29% vs. 19.5%), and less time for the overall visit (39 min vs. 52 min). Conclusion: Pre-screening patients to obtain background information can decrease exam room waiting time and overall visit time and maximize time during the visit spent with the provider. In addition, it could potentially be used to increase throughput through the clinic and improve patient satisfaction scores.

Patient Education and Sacubitril/Valsartan: A Randomized Comparative Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872199980
Author(s):  
Christopher Giuliano ◽  
Bradley St. Pierre ◽  
Jamie George
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Comparative Trial ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Video Education ◽  
Pharmacist Education

Objective: To compare video to pharmacist education for patients taking sacubitril/valsartan. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing video to pharmacist education with a second randomized intervention of education delivered through text or phone call at 14 days. The primary outcome compared the change in short term knowledge between groups and the secondary outcome was long term knowledge at 1 month. Results: Forty-three patients were included. Scores improved significantly ( P < .05) in the pharmacist group from 54.1% to 85.9% and from 64.3% to 86.1% in the video education group, although there was no difference between groups (31.8% vs 22.9%, P = .13). At 30 days, scores were significantly higher than baseline (difference 16.5%, P < .05) although did decrease from the posttest (difference 7.4%, P < .05). There was no difference at 30 days between those that received text messages versus phone calls (−10% vs −5.5%, respectively; P = .36). Conclusion: We saw improvements in both short term and long term knowledge for patients receiving education through pharmacist or video education. Neither approach was more effective than the other. Clinicians can use either approach based on patient preference.

WED 027 Acute neurology in glasgow

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. A4.4-A4
Author(s):  
Brennan M ◽  
Tyagi A ◽  
Leach JP
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Neurological Illness ◽  
Medical Inpatients ◽  
Medical Wards

Provision of acute liaison in-patient neurology reduces demand on neurology out patient services, reduces unnecessary investigations and use of medical beds by patients waiting on in-patient neurology review and allows speedier access to necessary neurological services for those with a neurological illness.The pressure on acute neurology beds at QEUH Glasgow is immense and there is considerable delay in patients waiting for admission to the ward. An audit of the acute on call service in mid 2015 showed a 100% increase in the number of phone calls received by the on call registrar when compared to a similar audit in 2008. The number of requests for ward visiting to review medical inpatients at the Queen Elizabeth University hospital increased by more than 100% over the previous year.In June 2016 an Acute Neurology rota was introduced whereby a Consultant Neurologist supervised and delivered patient care for the acute neurology wards, referrals from medical wards and acute receiving, as well as twice a week acute neurology clinics. This has led to a significantly improved care for patients referred with neurological problems as perceived by trainees, consultants and referring medical physicians, as evident on a survey carried out in 2017.

scholarly journals Availability and Use of Mobile Health Technology for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Support by Health Workers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1233
Author(s):  
Ernest Osei ◽  
Kwasi Agyei ◽  
Boikhutso Tlou ◽  
Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Mobile Wireless ◽  
Ashanti Region ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Treatment Support

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have been identified as promising strategies for improving access to healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. However, the extent of availability and use of mHealth among healthcare professionals in Ghana is not known. The study’s main objective was to examine the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by healthcare professionals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 285 healthcare professionals across 100 primary healthcare clinics in the Ashanti Region with an adopted survey tool. We obtained data on the participants’ background, available health infrastructure, healthcare workforce competency, ownership of a mobile wireless device, usefulness of mHealth, ease of use of mHealth, user satisfaction, and behavioural intention to use mHealth. Descriptive statistics were conducted to characterise healthcare professionals’ demographics and clinical features. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the influence of the demographic factors on the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support. STATA version 15 was used to complete all the statistical analyses. Out of the 285 healthcare professionals, 64.91% indicated that mHealth is available to them, while 35.08% have no access to mHealth. Of the 185 healthcare professionals who have access to mHealth, 98.4% are currently using mHealth to support healthcare delivery. Logistic regression model analysis significantly (p < 0.05) identified that factors such as the availability of mobile wireless devices, phone calls, text messages, and mobile apps are associated with HIV, TB, medication adherence, clinic appointments, and others. There is a significant association between the availability of mobile wireless devices, text messages, phone calls, mobile apps, and their use for disease diagnosis and treatment compliance from the chi-square test analysis. The findings demonstrate a low level of mHealth use for disease diagnosis and treatment support by healthcare professionals at rural clinics. We encourage policymakers to promote the implementation of mHealth in rural clinics.

scholarly journals Are telephone consultations here to stay in rheumatology?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina R Raizada ◽  
Natasha Cleaton ◽  
James Bateman ◽  
Diarmuid M Mulherin ◽  
Nick Barkham
Keyword(s):  
Older Patients ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Objectives During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face rheumatology follow-up appointments were mostly replaced with telephone or virtual consultations in order to protect vulnerable patients. We aimed to investigate the perspectives of rheumatology patients on the use of telephone consultations compared with the traditional face-to-face consultation. Methods We carried out a retrospective survey of all rheumatology follow-up patients at the Royal Wolverhampton Trust who had received a telephone consultation from a rheumatology consultant during a 4-week period via an online survey tool. Results Surveys were distributed to 1213 patients, of whom 336 (27.7%) responded, and 306 (91.1%) patients completed all components of the survey. Overall, an equal number of patients would prefer telephone clinics or face-to-face consultations for their next routine appointment. When divided by age group, the majority who preferred the telephone clinics were &lt;50 years old [χ2 (d.f. = 3) = 10.075, P = 0.018]. Prevalence of a smartphone was higher among younger patients (&lt;50 years old: 46 of 47, 97.9%) than among older patients (≥50 years old: 209 of 259, 80.7%) [χ2 (d.f. = 3) = 20.919, P &lt; 0.001]. More patients reported that they would prefer a telephone call for urgent advice (168, 54.9%). Conclusion Most patients interviewed were happy with their routine face-to-face appointment being switched to a telephone consultation. Of those interviewed, patients &gt;50 years old were less likely than their younger counterparts to want telephone consultations in place of face-to-face appointments. Most patients in our study would prefer a telephone consultation for urgent advice. We must ensure that older patients and those in vulnerable groups who value in-person contact are not excluded. Telephone clinics in some form are here to stay in rheumatology for the foreseeable future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document