Virtual consultation in lupus during the COVID-19 pandemic – patients' perspective
Background: Virtual consultations have become the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic with disruption of regular outpatient services due to fear of infection and travel restrictions. Methodology: A telephonic survey was conducted among 54 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who sought vir...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Rheumatology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.indianjrheumatol.com/article.asp?issn=0973-3698;year=2022;volume=17;issue=7;spage=422;epage=425;aulast=Talari |
| Summary: | Background: Virtual consultations have become the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic with disruption of regular outpatient services due to fear of infection and travel restrictions.
Methodology: A telephonic survey was conducted among 54 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who sought virtual consultations to understand patients' perspective about these consultations.
Results: 42/54 (77.78%) patients had inactive disease. Most patients (42/48 [87.5%]) did not visit the hospital for fear of COVID, whereas 58% of them also had travel restrictions. About one-fourth of individuals felt that consultation from home was comfortable (12/48 [25%]), cost-saving (14/48 [29.16%]) and they preferred virtual over physical consultation (14/48 [29.16%]). The satisfaction levels of patients during the process of booking appointment, the consultation process, and postconsultation queries also seem adequate.
Conclusion: Virtual consultations in SLE are a feasible and conceivable option, especially for those with inactive disease on stable treatment. |
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| ISSN: | 0973-3698 0973-3701 |