RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 Pandemic prompted the widespread implementation of telemedicine across healthcare. OBJECTIVE: To analyze telemedicine adoption by Mohs Micrographic surgeons (MMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic; to analyze the attitudes and perceived barriers to its long-term continuation by MMS practices. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An online multiple-choice survey was distributed to members of the American College of Mohs Surgeons. RESULTS: 86.1% of surveyed Mohs surgeons initiated telemedicine during the pandemic surge. The most common uses for telemedicine amongst respondents were post-surgery management (77.4%), "spot checks" (60.9%), and surgical consultations (59.1%). 73.1% report patients were receptive to telemedicine. 68.6% believe that telemedicine has a place in dermatologic surgery; 49.5% plan to incorporate telemedicine into their surgical practices long-term. Physical exam limitations, fitting telemedicine into practice workflow, and patient reception/patient training were viewed as the most significant barriers to long-term implementation. CONCLUSIONS: While valuable use cases for telemedicine were identified with most Mohs surgeon respondents feeling that telemedicine has a place in their practices, there is uncertainty in how to implement telemedicine into the dermatologic surgery practice workflow.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Dermatologia/estatística & dados numéricos , Cirurgia de Mohs , Telemedicina/estatística & dados numéricos , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Dermatologia/organização & administração , Humanos , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto , Satisfação do Paciente , Exame Físico , Projetos Piloto , Cuidados Pós-Operatórios , Encaminhamento e Consulta , SARS-CoV-2 , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fluxo de TrabalhoRESUMO
While telemedicine has been utilized with more frequency over the past two decades, there remained significant barriers to its broad implementation. The COVID-19 global pandemic served as a stimulus for rapid expansion and implementation of telemedicine services across medical institutions worldwide in order to maximize patient care delivery, minimize exposure risk among healthcare providers and patients alike, and avoid overcrowding of patient care facilities. In this experience report, we highlight the teledermatology initiatives executed by the Dermatology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, with particular emphasis on image ingestion and potential for future automation and improvement.