The Impact of the Off-site Monitoring Clinic (Virtual Monitoring Clinic) on the Practice of Outpatient Rheumatology in a Tertiary Centre during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Ann Acad Med Singap
; 49(11): 905-908, 2020 11.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1001064
ABSTRACT
The ongoing pandemic in Singapore is part of a global pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To control the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, 'circuit breaker' measures were introduced between 7 April and 1 June 2020 in Singapore. There is thus a crucial need for innovative approaches to the provision and delivery of healthcare in the context of safe-distancing by harnessing telemedicine, especially for patients with chronic diseases who have traditionally been managed in tertiary institutions. We present a summary of how the Virtual Monitoring Clinic has benefited the practice of our outpatient rheumatology service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual consultations address the need for safe-distancing by limiting face-to-face appointments and unnecessary exposure of patients to the hospital where feasible. This approach ensures that the patients are monitored appropriately for drug toxicities and side-effects, maintained on good disease control, and provided with patient education.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rheumatology
/
Rheumatic Diseases
/
Telemedicine
/
Antirheumatic Agents
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Ann Acad Med Singap
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Singapore
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