Good Comes From Evil: COVID-19 and the Advent of Telemedicine in Orthopedics.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Lamplot JD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8077989 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7537960 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing healthcare crisis that continues its worldwide spread. Ophthalmologists are at high risk of acquiring and transmitting the virus. Telemedicine platforms have evolved and may play an important role in attenuating this risk. For patients, these platforms provide the possibility of clinic consultation without the concerns of a clinic visit. We aimed to assess the utilization of telemedicine by oculoplastics specialists worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA 13-item survey was distributed internationally to practicing oculoplastic surgeons. Collected data included demographics, clinical practice variables and perceptions regarding telemedicine. Significance of associations and single survey items was evaluated by Chi-squared and z-score of proportions tests, respectively.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 70 oculoplastic surgeons (54.3% male, mean age 47.3 years, median experience 10 years) from eight countries, practicing in various clinical settings (50.0% hospitals, 45.7% private clinics, 4.3% community clinics). Most respondents reported telemedicine to be an effective tool for oculoplastic consultations (67.1%, p = 0.004), while only 12.8% (p < 0.00001) had incorporated this modality into clinical practice prior to the pandemic. Even though a vast majority (98.6%) of participants had limited outpatient activity, most (55.7%) felt unprotected from the virus. Telemedicine had been incorporated by 70.5% (p = 0.001) of respondents during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas most (57.1%) predicted continued use of the modality.ConclusionTelemedicine can be effectively and rapidly incorporated into the clinical practice of oculoplastic surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research into the most effective utilization of these platforms appears warranted.
| S-EPMC8606803 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and aimThe current COVID-19 pandemic scenario has driven surgical departments to a transformation. The worldwide spread of the disease has led to a public health quarantine where health care professionals are at high risk of infection. In this context, telemedicine has been promoted and scaled up to reduce the risk of transmission. This study aims to demonstrate that a combined framework based on telematics and in-person clinical encounter not only ensures medical care but the safety of healthcare professionals and patients.Material and methodDescriptive observational study on the follow-up of patients during the COVID19 Pandemic, combining telephone and traditional.ResultsA total of 5031 telephone calls were made, differentiating between medical referrals, specialized primary care visits, and outpatient consultation. They were classified as successful, required an in-person visit, or no successful telephone contact. Furthermore, we divided them into 2 groups: resolved and unresolved. 53% of all telematic visits were successful.ConclusionsTelematic medical systems are a feasible option in a orthopedics department and an interesting resource to preserve once the pandemic is resolved. Future lines of research should be opened to improve system success, analyze its cost-effectiveness ratio, and correct any legal conflicts that may exist.
| S-EPMC7832733 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundOncology rapidly shifted to telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine can increase access to healthcare, but recent research has shown disparities exist with telemedicine use during the pandemic. This study evaluated health disparities associated with telemedicine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic among cancer patients in a tertiary care academic medical center.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study evaluated telemedicine use among adult cancer patients who received outpatient medical oncology care within a tertiary care academic healthcare system between January and September 2020. We used multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models to determine how telemedicine use varied by patient race/ethnicity, primary language, insurance status, and income level. We assessed geospatial links between zip-code level COVID-19 infection rates and telemedicine use.ResultsAmong 29,421 patient encounters over the study period, 8,541 (29%) were delivered via telemedicine. Several groups of patients were less likely to use telemedicine, including Hispanic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.86, p = 0.03), Asian (aOR 0.79, p = 0.002), Spanish-speaking (aOR 0.71, p = 0.0006), low-income (aOR 0.67, p < 0.0001), and those with Medicaid (aOR 0.66, p < 0.0001). Lower rates of telemedicine use were found in zip codes with higher rates of COVID-19 infection. Each 10% increase in COVID-19 infection rates was associated with an 8.3% decrease in telemedicine use (p = 0.002).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates racial/ethnic, language, and income-level disparities with telemedicine use, which ultimately led patients with the highest risk of COVID-19 infection to use telemedicine the least. Additional research to better understand actionable barriers will help improve telemedicine access among our underserved populations.
| S-EPMC8855911 | biostudies-literature
Project description:While the rapid expansion of telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the impressive ability of health systems to adapt quickly to new complexities, it also raises important concerns about how to implement these novel modalities equitably. As the healthcare system becomes increasingly virtual, it risks widening disparities among marginalized populations who have worse health outcomes at baseline and limited access to the resources necessary for the effective use of telemedicine. In this article, we review recent policy changes and outline important recommendations that governments and health care systems can adopt to improve access to telemedicine and to tailor the use of these technologies to best meet the needs of underserved patients. We suggest that by making health equity integral to the implementation of telemedicine now, it will help to ensure that all can benefit from its use going forward and that this will be increasingly integral to care delivery.
| S-EPMC7428456 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Indices of neuroinflammation are found in a variety of diseases of the CNS including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Over the years, neuroinflammation, in degenerative disorders of the CNS, has evolved from being regarded as an innocent bystander accomplishing its housekeeping function secondary to neurodegeneration to being considered as a bona fide contributor to the disease process and, in some situations, as a putative initiator of the disease. Herein, we will review neuroinflammation in both ALS and SMA not only from the angle of neuropathology but also from the angle of its potential role in the pathogenesis and treatment of these two dreadful paralytic disorders.
| S-EPMC2823924 | biostudies-other
Project description:PurposeTo discuss the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 betacoronavirus on ambulatory ophthalmology practices, the value proposition of telemedicine, teleophthalmology implementation methodologies, and the accelerated future of telemedicine.DesignReview of the current telehealth landscape including usage, policies, and techniques for ambulatory practice integration.MethodsWe provide author-initiated review of recent trends in telehealth, governmental recommendations for health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a PubMed Central query for telemedicine in ophthalmology or teleophthalmology. In addition, the authors' comprehensive experience in telemedicine design and implementation is provided.ResultsWe provide a summary describing the present state of telehealth, teleophthalmology modeling, care delivery, and the proposed impact of telehealth surges on the future of ophthalmology practice.ConclusionRecent patient and provider interest in telemedicine, the relaxation of regulatory restrictions, increased remote care reimbursement, and ongoing social distancing practices compel many ophthalmologists to consider virtualizing services.
| S-EPMC7191296 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThe global Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in an expansion of telemedicine. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with outpatient telemedicine visits within a single institution's Department of Otolaryngology during the initial COVID-19 era.Study designRetrospective chart review.MethodsThis was a single-institution study conducted within the Department of Otolaryngology at an urban tertiary care center. Data on outpatient visits was obtained from billing and scheduling records from January 6 to May 28, 2020. Visits were divided into "pre-shutdown" and "post-shutdown" based on our state's March 23, 2020 COVID-19 shutdown date.ResultsA total of 3447 of 4340 (79.4%) scheduled visits were completed in the pre-shutdown period as compared to 1451 of 1713 (84.7%) in the post-shutdown period. The proportion of telemedicine visits increased (0.7%-81.2%, P < .001). Overall visit completion rate increased following the shutdown (80.2%-84.7%, P < .001). Subspecialties with an increase in visit completion rate were general (76.9%-88.0%, P = .002), otology (77.4%-87.2%, P < .001), and rhinology (80.0%-86.2%, P = .003). Patients with Medicaid and Medicare had higher appointment completion rates following the transition to telemedicine visits (80.7%-85.7%, P = .002; 76.9%-84.7%, P = .001). Older age was associated with decreased appointment cancellation pre-shutdown (OR 0.994 [0.991-0.997], P < .001) but increased appointment cancellation post-shutdown (OR 1.008 [1.001-1.014], P = .015). Mean COVID-19 risk scores were unchanged (P = .654).ConclusionsCOVID-19 has led to major changes in outpatient practice, with a significant shift from in-person to telemedicine visits following the mandatory shutdown. An associated increase in appointment completion rates was observed, reflecting a promising viable alternative to meet patient needs during this unprecedented time.
| S-EPMC9834621 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-BSST563 | biostudies-other
Project description:We aimed to investigate the variation of medical and surgical activities in pediatric orthopedics in Italy, during the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison with data from the previous two years. The differences among the first wave, phase 2 and second wave were also analyzed. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study regarding the clinical and surgical activities in pediatric orthopedics during the pandemic and pre-pandemic period. The hospital databases of seven tertiary referral centers for pediatric orthopedics and traumatology were queried for events regarding pediatric orthopedic patients from 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2021. Surgical procedures were classified according to the "SITOP Priority Panel". An additional classification in "high-priority" and "low-priority" surgery was also applied. Overall, in 2020, we observed a significant drop in surgical volumes compared to the previous two years. The decrease was different across the different classes of priority, with "high-priority" surgery being less influenced. The decrease in emergency department visits was almost three-fold greater than the decrease in trauma surgery. During the second wave, a lower decline in surgical interventions and a noticeable resumption of "low-priority" surgery and outpatient visits were observed. Our study represents the first nationwide survey quantifying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric orthopedics and traumatology during the first and second wave.
| S-EPMC8305147 | biostudies-literature