Equal Access to Telemedicine during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pediatric Otolaryngology Perspective.
Laryngoscope
; 131(5): 1175-1179, 2021 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-792414
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS:
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for direct-to-home telemedicine services has risen to an unprecedented level. Equal access to specialty care was assessed to identify potential barriers that may negatively impact telemedicine utilization. STUDYDESIGN:
Retrospective case series.METHODS:
We examined the 6-week period between March and May 2020 when the only access to nonurgent pediatric otolaryngology service was through telemedicine and compared it to in-person visits during the same period in 2019. We compared patient demographics, including age, gender, preferred language, zip code of residence, and primary insurance plan.RESULTS:
A total of 1,495 visits were conducted through telemedicine from March 23, 2020 to May 1, 2020, and 1983 in-person visits were completed in 2019. There was no difference in patient age and gender. The proportions of Spanish-speaking families were similar (15.8% in 2019 vs. 14.4% in 2020, P = .96). The percentage of Medi-Cal-insured patients (51.4% in 2019 vs. 49.8% in 2020, P = .73) and the mean poverty level (12.6% in 2019 vs. 12.2% in 2020, P = .38) also remained the same. Spanish-speaking families were statistically more likely to require rescheduling of their telemedicine visits (17.2%) when compared to the overall rescheduling rate of 11.9% (P = .0083).CONCLUSIONS:
We were able to successfully provide access to telemedicine services to our vulnerable populations during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine is likely to remain an essential mode of delivering patient care going forward. It is important to evaluate and identify potential disparities to telemedicine access and proactively implement changes to address these barriers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4. Laryngoscope, 1311175-1179, 2021.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Otolaryngology
/
Telemedicine
/
Health Services Accessibility
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Laryngoscope
Journal subject:
Otolaryngology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Lary.29164
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS