scholarly journals Surgical Patient Experience with a Novel Telemedicine Program in the COVID-19 Era

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Segal ◽  
Jared Matson ◽  
Omid Moshtaghi ◽  
Elina Vaidya ◽  
Elina Kari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Rectal Surgery ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Surgical Patient ◽  
Colon And Rectal Surgery ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Telemedicine Consultation ◽  
Patient’S Experience

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, measures were taken to decrease viral spread by transitioning health care appointments to virtual mediums. This study evaluates the use of telemedicine within the Divisions of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Otolaryngology-Neurotology at a single academic institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design: An online survey modeled after the TeleENT Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Medical Communication Competence Scale (MCCS) was administered to gauge patient’s experience with Electronic Medical Record-based telemedicine visits. Results: Participants noticed several advantages of telemedicine visits over traditional in-office visits: shorter visits, saving money, and avoiding potential exposure during the pandemic. A total of 36% at least somewhat agreed that the quality of care was hindered by the lack of a physical examination;61.7% participants at least somewhat agreed that they prefer a face-to-face visit rather than telemedicine consultation. Most patients were satisfied with the care they received via telemedicine (Likert 6.19/7) and 95.8% would use telemedicine again. Participants self-reported an average saving of $108.70 when using telemedicine. When comparing the telemedicine cohort with the in-office control, the telemedicine patients noticed an improved ability to communicate with their physician in five out of eight domains of the MCCS. Conclusion: Surgical preoperative consultation, postoperative follow-up, and routine visits were conducted via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, representing a new direction for surgical appointments and consultations. This study shows that telehealth can provide satisfactory care and increases access to surgical care for patients when external factors prevent the traditional physician–patient interaction. With better-perceived communication via telemedicine appointments, patients may subjectively feel that they can express their symptoms and gather information from the doctor regarding their diagnosis more efficiently.

scholarly journals VA Video Telehealth and Training Programs During the COVID-19 Response

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda Johnston ◽  
Rita F. Kobb ◽  
Claire Marty ◽  
Padraic McVeigh
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Patient Interaction ◽  
Telemedicine Consultation ◽  
Physician Patient ◽  
And Training

Study Design: An online survey modeled after the TeleENT Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Medical Communication Competence Scale (MCCS) were administered to gauge patient experience with electronic medical record-based telemedicine visits. Results: Participants noted several advantages of telemedicine visits over traditional in-office visits: shorter visits, saving money, and avoiding potential exposure during the pandemic. Thirty-six percent of the patients agreed that the quality of care was hindered by the lack of a physical exam, and 61.7% of the patients agreed that they prefer a face-to-face visit rather than telemedicine consultation. Most patients were satisfied with the care they received via telemedicine (Likert 6.19/7), and 95.8% of the patients would use telemedicine again. Participants self-reported an average saving of $108.70 when using telemedicine. When comparing the telemedicine cohort to the in-office control, the telemedicine patients noted an improved ability to communicate with their physician in 5 out of 8 domains of the MCCS. Conclusion: Surgical preoperative consultation, postoperative follow-up, and routine visits were conducted via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, representing a new direction for surgical appointments and consultations. This study shows that telehealth provides satisfactory care and increases access to surgical care for patients when external factors prevent the traditional physician–patient interaction. With better-perceived communication via telemedicine appointments, patients may subjectively feel that they can express their symptoms and gather information from the doctor regarding their diagnosis more efficiently.

Neutrophil/lymphocyte Ratio after Flow Citometry Periferic Blood Cell Detection - Predictive Marker of Anastomotic Fistula in Colorectal Cancer Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 295-306
Author(s):  
Dumitru Radulescu ◽  
Vlad Dumitru Baleanu ◽  
Andrei Nicolaescu ◽  
Marius Lazar ◽  
Marius Bica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Rectal Surgery ◽  
Predictive Marker ◽  
Fistula Formation ◽  
Cell Detection ◽  
Colon And Rectal Surgery ◽  
Optimal Value ◽  
Anastomotic Fistula ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients

Anastomotic fistula is a dreadful complication of colon and rectal surgery that can put life into danger, being common after colorectal surgery. The preoperative lymphocyte neutrophil ratio (NLR) is known as a prognostic marker for colorectal cancer patients. The existence of a predictive marker of anastomotic fistula in colorectal cancer patients is not fully undestood, so we proposed to investigate the utility of preoperative NLR as a predictor of anastomotic fistula formation. This study the Neutrophils and lymphocytes were detected from periferic blood using flow citometry. We retrospectively evaluated 161 patients with colorectal cancer, who were treated curatively, in which at least one anastomosis was performed, comparing NLR values between patients who had fistula and those with normal healing, then comparing the group with low NLR, with the group with increased NLR, after finding the optimal value of NLR using the ROC curve.The optimal value of the NLR after establishing the cutoff value was 3.07. Between the low NLR group (n=134) and the high NLR group (n=27), were observed statistically significant differences in fistula (p [0.001) and death (p=0.001). The odds ratio for failure in the group with increased NLR was 10.37, which means that patients with NLR]3.54 have a chance of developing anastomotic fistula greater than 10.37 comparable to patients with lower NLR. We suggest the preoperative use of NLR can be used as a predictive marker of anastomotic fistula than can increase the quality of preoperative preparation and therefore the establishment of the optimal surgical technique that can lead to anastomotic fistula risk decrease.

scholarly journals Surgical Interventions in Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19. A Review of Seven Months of Experience Working in a COVID-19 Dedicated Centre

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 395
Author(s):  
Justyna Rymarowicz ◽  
Michał Pędziwiatr ◽  
Piotr Major ◽  
Bryan Donohue ◽  
Karol Ciszek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Surgery ◽  
Surgical Procedure ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Surgical Specialty ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Overall Mortality

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made changes to the traditional way of performing surgical consultations. The aim of the present study was to assess the need for surgical care performed by various surgical specialties among patients infected with COVID-19 hospitalized in a COVID-19 dedicated hospital. All surgical consultations performed for patients infected with COVID-19 in a COVID dedicated hospital in a seven month period were evaluated. Data on demographics, surgical specialty, consult reason, procedure performed, and whether it was a standard face to face or teleconsultation were gathered. Out of 2359 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital in the seven month period, 229 (9.7%) required surgical care. Out of those 108 consultations that did not lead to surgery, 71% were managed by telemedicine. A total of 36 patients were operated on while suffering from COVID-19. Out of them, only three patients admitted primarily for COVID-19 pneumonia underwent emergency surgery. The overall mortality among those operated on was 16.7%. Conclusions: Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 may require surgical care from various surgical specialties, especially during peaks of the pandemic. However, they rarely require a surgical procedure and only occasionally require major surgery. A significant portion of potentially surgical problems could be managed by teleconsultations.

scholarly journals A Better Learning Community: Mixed-Methods Reveal Medical Student Preferences with Implications for Learning Community Design and Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110148
Author(s):  
Jasna Vuk ◽  
Steven McKee ◽  
Sara Tariq ◽  
Priya Mendiratta
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Free Form ◽  
University Of Arkansas ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
School Learning ◽  
The University

Background: Medical school learning communities benefit students. The College of Medicine (COM) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) provides medical students with academic, professional, and personal support through a learning community (LC) made of 7 academic houses. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the academic house model at UAMS utilizing a mixed-methods survey. The aims were to: (1) assess student experience and satisfaction with academic houses, (2) describe the realms of advising and guidance, and (3) identify areas for improvement. Method: An online survey was assigned to 723 COM students (all students enrolled, first through fourth years) at UAMS in March 2019. The survey was comprised of 25 items (10 multiple-choice, 8 on the Likert scale, and 7 open-ended questions). Data was depicted using frequency and percentages and/or thematic review of free-form responses. Results: The survey response rate was 31% (227 students). The majority of students responding (132, 58.1%) attended 2 or more face-to-face meetings with the faculty advisor within the preceding year. However, 27 (11.9%) students did not have any meetings. Approximately two-thirds of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the guidance and direction provided by their advisors [very satisfied (n = 83; 36.6%); satisfied (n = 77; 33.9%)]. Themes that emerged from student generated areas for improvement include time constraints, advisor/advisee interest mismatch, and perceived inadequacy of advising content/connections. Conclusions: This study confirms the effectiveness of the LC model for advising and mentoring in the COM at UAMS. Uniquely, this study identifies not only learners’ satisfaction with their LC but also highlights areas for improvement which are widely generalizable and important to consider for institutions with or planning to start an LC.

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 <50 years old [χ2 (d.f. = 3) = 10.075, P = 0.018]. Prevalence of a smartphone was higher among younger patients (<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 < 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 >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.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Wheat/Gluten-Related Disorders and Gluten-Free Diet in Paraguay: An Online Survey-Based Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 396
Author(s):  
Noé Ontiveros ◽  
Raúl Emilio Real-Delor ◽  
José Antonio Mora-Melgem ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Beltrán-Cárdenas ◽  
Oscar Gerardo Figueroa-Salcido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Wheat Gluten ◽  
Gluten Free Diet ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Questionnaire Response ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Gluten-related disorders (GRDs) are increasing around the world, but their magnitude and relevance remain unknown in most Latin American countries. Thus, an online survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of GRDs as well as adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) in Paraguayan adult population. There were 1058 individuals surveyed using a validated questionnaire (response rate of 93.9%). The self-reported prevalence rates were as follows (95% CI): gluten sensitivity (GS), 10.30% (8.53–12.29); non-celiac GS (NCGS), 5.19% (3.94–6.71); physician-diagnosed celiac disease (PD-CD), 3.11% (2.15–4.35); wheat allergy (WA), 2.07% (1.30–3.13); and adherence to GFD, 15.69% (13.55–18.02). Excluding CD, more women than men met the criteria for GRDs, adverse food reactions, and GFD (p < 0.05). Eight respondents reported the coexistence of NCGS with PD-CD and/or WA. Most cases on a GFD indicated medical/dietitian advice for following the diet (68.07%). Non-self-reported GS individuals indicated weight control (46.4%) and the notion that the GFD is healthier (20.2%) as the main motivations for following the diet. GRDs are not uncommon in Paraguayan adult population. It seems that there is awareness about GRDs and the GFD, but training about the diagnosis of GRDs is desirable because of the informed overlapping diagnoses of CD or WA with NCGS. Future studies involving face-to-face interviews are necessary.

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