Teleophthalmology in the Era of COVID-19: Characteristics of Early Adopters at a Large Academic Institution.
Telemed J E Health
; 27(7): 739-746, 2021 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-872936
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
COVID-19 led to rapid policy changes to expand telemedicine adoption. We examined rates of early telemedicine adoption among surgical departments at a large academic institution and compared provider characteristics associated with teleophthalmology.Methods:
With data from departmental and electronic medical records across surgical departments at Johns Hopkins Medicine, we performed a retrospective analysis using the Fisher test and binomial logistic regression.Results:
Telemedicine adoption in ophthalmology was disproportionately lower than other surgical departments. Providers who were female [odds ratio, OR, 2.42 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.03-5.67)], clinical assistants, clinical associates, or instructors [OR 12.5 (95% CI 2.63-59.47)], associate professors [OR 4.38 (95% CI 1.42-13.52)], practiced for ≥36 years [OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.06-0.66)], cornea [OR 0.13 (95% CI 0.04-0.47)], glaucoma [OR 0.18 (95% CI 0.04-0.93)] or retina [OR 0.04 (95% CI 0.01-0.17)] specialists, or had a MD/MBBCh/MBBS [OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.10-0.94)] or second degree [OR 0.28 (95% CI 0.08-0.99)] were significantly more or less likely to adopt. When adjusted, cornea [adjusted OR 0.10 (95% CI 0.02-0.57)] or retina [adjusted OR 0.01 (95% CI 0.002-0.12)] specialists or providers who practiced for 12-18 years [adjusted OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.05-0.91)] or ≥36 years [adjusted OR 0.13 (95% CI 0.03-0.68)] were significantly more or less likely to adopt.Discussion:
Subspecialty among other provider characteristics influences the likelihood of teleophthalmology adoption. As the pandemic continues, strategies to reduce adoption barriers are needed to ensure the provision of health care services.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ophthalmology
/
Telemedicine
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Telemed J E Health
Journal subject:
Medical Informatics
/
Health Services
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Tmj.2020.0372
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