The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners
Abstract Introduction Video consultations have proven to be a powerful support tool for patient–doctor interactions in general, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzed the feasibility and usefulness of orthopedic telemedical consultations (OTCs) for orthopedic patients at the inte...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05909-2 |
| _version_ | 1811230391354261504 |
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| author | Estel K Richter L Weber G Fellmer F Märdian S Willy C Back DA |
| author_facet | Estel K Richter L Weber G Fellmer F Märdian S Willy C Back DA |
| author_sort | Estel K |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Video consultations have proven to be a powerful support tool for patient–doctor interactions in general, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzed the feasibility and usefulness of orthopedic telemedical consultations (OTCs) for orthopedic patients at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners. Methods The study was carried out at an orthopedic department of a German hospital between April 2020 and October 2020. After written informed consent was obtained, general practitioners (GPs) of a large adjunct health region could present their patients with orthopedic pathologies to specialists at the hospital via OTCs instead of the usual live consultation (LC). The patients, specialists and GPs were evaluated for their OTC experience and attitude (5-point Likert-scale and open questions, 19 to 27 items). Results A total of 89 video consultations took place with 76 patients, 16 GPs and six specialists. The average distance between the GPs/patients and the hospital was 141.9 km. The OTCs were rated as pleasant, and the experience was rated as very satisfying (average Likert-Scale rating, with 5 as strong agreement: specialists = 4.8; GPs = 4.9; patients = 4.7). Following the OTC, a LC was not necessary in 76.4% of cases. Patients with a necessary LC after an OTC showed significantly lower satisfaction with the OTC (p = 0.005). Time savings, the elimination of travel and quick contact with orthopedic consultants were positively highlighted by the participants. A total of 123 recommendations for further treatment were given, such as the initiation of physiotherapy/medication and the use of imaging diagnostics. Different technical and organizational challenges could be identified and addressed. Discussion The vast majority of the participants stated they had a very positive impression. In particular, the potential savings in travel and time as well as straightforward contact with specialists were rated positively. However, limitations in the assessment of initial presentations of complex medical conditions were also highlighted. Further studies on OTCs with a consultative health professional may show other fields of use for this mode of interdisciplinary remote communication. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:28:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d006b3d94f204713a5496e2910a8c236 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2474 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T10:28:40Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-d006b3d94f204713a5496e2910a8c2362022-12-22T03:36:55ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742022-11-012311810.1186/s12891-022-05909-2The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitionersEstel K0Richter L1Weber G2Fellmer F3Märdian S4Willy C5Back DA6Department for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital BerlinDepartment for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital BerlinDepartment for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital BerlinDepartment for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital BerlinCenter for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinDepartment for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital BerlinDepartment for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Bundeswehr Hospital BerlinAbstract Introduction Video consultations have proven to be a powerful support tool for patient–doctor interactions in general, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzed the feasibility and usefulness of orthopedic telemedical consultations (OTCs) for orthopedic patients at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners. Methods The study was carried out at an orthopedic department of a German hospital between April 2020 and October 2020. After written informed consent was obtained, general practitioners (GPs) of a large adjunct health region could present their patients with orthopedic pathologies to specialists at the hospital via OTCs instead of the usual live consultation (LC). The patients, specialists and GPs were evaluated for their OTC experience and attitude (5-point Likert-scale and open questions, 19 to 27 items). Results A total of 89 video consultations took place with 76 patients, 16 GPs and six specialists. The average distance between the GPs/patients and the hospital was 141.9 km. The OTCs were rated as pleasant, and the experience was rated as very satisfying (average Likert-Scale rating, with 5 as strong agreement: specialists = 4.8; GPs = 4.9; patients = 4.7). Following the OTC, a LC was not necessary in 76.4% of cases. Patients with a necessary LC after an OTC showed significantly lower satisfaction with the OTC (p = 0.005). Time savings, the elimination of travel and quick contact with orthopedic consultants were positively highlighted by the participants. A total of 123 recommendations for further treatment were given, such as the initiation of physiotherapy/medication and the use of imaging diagnostics. Different technical and organizational challenges could be identified and addressed. Discussion The vast majority of the participants stated they had a very positive impression. In particular, the potential savings in travel and time as well as straightforward contact with specialists were rated positively. However, limitations in the assessment of initial presentations of complex medical conditions were also highlighted. Further studies on OTCs with a consultative health professional may show other fields of use for this mode of interdisciplinary remote communication.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05909-2Video consultationOrthopedicsSupportClinicGeneral practitioners |
| spellingShingle | Estel K Richter L Weber G Fellmer F Märdian S Willy C Back DA The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Video consultation Orthopedics Support Clinic General practitioners |
| title | The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners |
| title_full | The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners |
| title_fullStr | The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners |
| title_full_unstemmed | The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners |
| title_short | The use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients' treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners |
| title_sort | use of video consultations to support orthopedic patients treatment at the interface of a clinic and general practitioners |
| topic | Video consultation Orthopedics Support Clinic General practitioners |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05909-2 |
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