ABSTRACT
Aim COVID-19 presents challenges in ensuring gold standard patient care in hospital settings. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of telephone consultations as a modality for delivery of orthopaedic outpatient clinics, as measured by levels of patient satisfaction. Methods N = 100 orthopaedic trauma patients who received a teleconsultation were retrospectively surveyed. The survey included specific questions related to patient satisfaction scored with a Likert scale, as well as free-form questions facilitating expansion of patient opinion. The responses were quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. Results In 98% (n=95) of cases respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with telephone consultations irrespective of age group, condition or length of time since commencement of symptoms. Nearly half of all respondents (47%, n=45) would choose teleconsultation again. The provision of clear information and the convenience of teleconsultation were noted as drivers of satisfaction. Discussion Teleconsultation was associated with a high satisfaction rate and may prove an effective tool in delivering remote patient care particularly in less complex cases not requiring physical examination or updated imaging. Further work addressing patient beliefs and expectations regarding telemedicine will be beneficial. © 2021, Irish Medical Association. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Following the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the Covid-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020, health organisations and staff have had to adapt and restructure services in order to respond to this global health emergency. Numerous containment strategies have been, and continue to be, introduced in this rapidly evolving and fluid situation with a significant shift towards virtual or remote patient assessment. The concept of virtual patient evaluation has previously been adopted across a range of medical and surgical specialities yielding safe and efficient pathways associated with good Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and patient satisfaction rates. Whilst the idea of virtual patient review may be perceived as counterintuitive to the basic foundations and principles of face-to-face clinical practice, the current global pandemic, now more than ever, highlights the importance, need and benefits of this care model.