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Grygorian A, Montano D, Shojaa M, Ferencak M, Schmitz N. Digital Health Interventions and Patient Safety in Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e248555. [PMID: 38669018 PMCID: PMC11053376 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Over the past 2 decades, several digital technology applications have been used to improve clinical outcomes after abdominal surgery. The extent to which these telemedicine interventions are associated with improved patient safety outcomes has not been assessed in systematic and meta-analytic reviews. Objective To estimate the implications of telemedicine interventions for complication and readmission rates in a population of patients with abdominal surgery. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were queried to identify relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies published from inception through February 2023 that compared perioperative telemedicine interventions with conventional care and reported at least 1 patient safety outcome. Study Selection Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts to exclude irrelevant studies as well as assessed the full-text articles for eligibility. After exclusions, 11 RCTs and 8 cohort studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis and 7 were included in the narrative review. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were extracted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline and assessed for risk of bias by 2 reviewers. Meta-analytic estimates were obtained in random-effects models. Main Outcomes and Measures Number of complications, emergency department (ED) visits, and readmissions. Results A total of 19 studies (11 RCTs and 8 cohort studies) with 10 536 patients were included. The pooled risk ratio (RR) estimates associated with ED visits (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.94) and readmissions (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.58-0.78) favored the telemedicine group. There was no significant difference in the risk of complications between patients in the telemedicine and conventional care groups (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.77-1.43). Conclusions and Relevance Findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that perioperative telehealth interventions are associated with reduced risk of readmissions and ED visits after abdominal surgery. However, the mechanisms of action for specific types of abdominal surgery are still largely unknown and warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Grygorian
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Population-Based Medicine, Tuebingen University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Diego Montano
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Population-Based Medicine, Tuebingen University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mahdieh Shojaa
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Population-Based Medicine, Tuebingen University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ferencak
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Population-Based Medicine, Tuebingen University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Norbert Schmitz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Population-Based Medicine, Tuebingen University, Tuebingen, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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Halder GE, Guo F, Harvie H, White AB, Caldwell L, Giles DL, Bilagi D, Rogers RG. Cost Effectiveness of Additional Preoperative Telephone Call to Increase Surgical Preparedness: Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. Int Urogynecol J 2024; 35:527-536. [PMID: 38189853 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-023-05719-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS There is a need for cost effective interventions that increase surgical preparedness in urogynecology. METHODS We performed an ancillary prospective economic evaluation of the Telehealth Intervention to Increase Patient Preparedness for Surgery (TIPPS) Trial, a randomized multicenter trial that evaluated the impact of a preoperative telehealth call on surgical preparedness in women undergoing urogynecologic surgery. A within-trial analysis from the health care sector and societal perspective was performed. Cost-effectiveness was computed from health care sector and societal perspectives, with an 8-week time horizon. RESULTS A total of 126 women were included in our analysis. QALYs gained were similar between groups (telehealth 0.1414 + 0.0249; usual care 0.1409 + 0.0179). The cumulative mean per-person costs at 8 weeks from the healthcare sector perspective were telehealth call: $8696 +/- 3341; usual care: $8473 +/- 3118 (p = 0.693) and from the societal perspective were telehealth call: $11,195 + 5191; usual care: $11,213 +/- 4869 (p = 0.944). The preoperative telehealth call intervention was not cost effective from the health care sector perspective with an ICER of $460,091/QALY (95%CI -$7,382,608/QALY, $7,673,961) using the generally accepted maximum willingness to pay threshold of $150,000/QALY (Neumann et al. N Engl J Med. 371(9):796-7, 2014). From the societal perspective, because incremental costs per QALY gained were negative $-35,925/QALY (95%CI, -$382,978/QALY, $317,226), results suggest that preoperative telehealth call dominated usual care. CONCLUSIONS A preoperative telehealth call is cost effective from the society perspective. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered with http://ClinicalTrials.gov . Date of registration: March 26, 2019 Date of initial participant enrollment: June 5, 2019 URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03890471 Clinical trial identification number: NCT03890471.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela E Halder
- Department of Women's Health, The University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA.
- Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Fangjian Guo
- Division of Population and Preventive Health, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Heidi Harvie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amanda B White
- Department of Women's Health, The University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lauren Caldwell
- Department of Women's Health, The University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Dobie L Giles
- Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Wisconsin-Maddison, Maddison, WI, USA
| | - Daksha Bilagi
- Department of Women's Health, The University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca G Rogers
- Department of Women's Health, The University of Texas Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
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Naik N, Talyshinskii A, Rassweiler J, Hameed BMZ, Somani BK. Digital health innovations in urology: telemedicine, wearables, and mobile applications - a systematic review of literature. Curr Opin Urol 2024; 34:116-127. [PMID: 38038411 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There are enough publications on the use of telemedicine, wearable devices, and mobile applications in urology; however, their collective impact on urological care has not been adequately studied. This review seeks to address this deficiency by providing a descriptive analysis of the recent use of telemedicine, wearable technology, and mobile applications in urology as well as elucidating their associated challenges. RECENT FINDINGS There are studies that were dedicated to the use of telemedicine, wearables, and mobile apps in urology according to inclusion criteria, respectively. They were successfully implemented in different urological subfields, such as urogynecology, endourology, pediatric urology, and uro-oncology, and led to time safety, remote monitoring, and better patient awareness. However, several concerns also exist, such as issues with data safety, measurement deviations, technical limitations, and lack ofquality. SUMMARY Telemedicine, wearables, and mobile apps have already shown their potential in urological practice. However, further studies are needed to expand both our understanding of their current state and their potential for further development and clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nithesh Naik
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Ali Talyshinskii
- Department of Urology, Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Jens Rassweiler
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, SLK Kliniken Heilbronn, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - B M Zeeshan Hameed
- Department of Urology, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Bhaskar K Somani
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
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Blumenau Pedersen M, Saxton J, Birch S, Rasmussen Villumsen B, Bjerggaard Jensen J. The use of digital technologies to support home-based prehabilitation prior to major surgery: A systematic review. Surgeon 2023; 21:e305-e315. [PMID: 37336649 DOI: 10.1016/j.surge.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prehabilitation is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach, to prepare patients for surgery, with the aim of improving postoperative outcomes. Worldwide, healthcare systems are facing challenges with a gap between demand and supply of healthcare services. Telehealth is seen as a solution for delivering sustainable and efficient treatments. The effect of providing prehabilitation using telehealth solutions is unclear. OBJECTIVE This systematic review investigated the existing literature regarding the effects and feasibility of technologies for remotely supporting home-based prehabilitation compared to standard care on pre- and postoperative outcomes in adults undergoing elective major surgery. METHODS A literature search identified relevant studies published between 1 January 2012 and December 2022 in PubMed, PsychInfo, Cinahl and the Cochrane Library. We included RCTs, feasibility and pilot studies. The quality of studies was evaluated using Cochrane's Risk of bias assessment and by narratively rating the certainty of evidence. RESULTS Six randomized controlled trials and 20 pilot/feasibility studies were included. The number and content of the interventions varied, depending on context and resources. Multiple approaches in the use of digital healthcare solutions were applied and the results highlight the potential of providing health services remotely. CONCLUSION The use of technologies to support remote home-based prehabilitation in patients undergoing elective major surgery is feasible and has high acceptability, though telehealth is a broad term and wide-ranging strategies are used. Digital technologies for supporting home-based prehabilitation are likely to play an essential role in future health care as resources are scarce and innovative solutions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Blumenau Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Urology, Gødstrup Hospital, Gødstrup, Denmark; Department of Occupational- and Physiotherapy, Gødstrup Hospital, Gødstrup, Denmark.
| | - John Saxton
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Sara Birch
- Department of Occupational- and Physiotherapy, Gødstrup Hospital, Gødstrup, Denmark; University Clinic for Hand, Hip and Knee Surgery, Gødstrup Hospital, Gødstrup, Denmark
| | | | - Jørgen Bjerggaard Jensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Urology, Gødstrup Hospital, Gødstrup, Denmark; Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Lua-Mailland LL, Roversi G, Yao M, Ferrando CA. Healthcare Resource Utilization After Apical Prolapse Surgery in Women Who Received In-Office Versus Telephone-Only Preoperative Teaching. UROGYNECOLOGY (PHILADELPHIA, PA.) 2023:02273501-990000000-00095. [PMID: 37093576 DOI: 10.1097/spv.0000000000001358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Despite increasing use of telehealth, no studies have evaluated telehealth use for preoperative teaching and its impact on healthcare resource utilization (HRU) after gynecologic surgery. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to compare HRU after apical prolapse surgery in women receiving in-office versus telephone-only preoperative teaching and identify factors associated with postoperative HRU. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent apical prolapse surgery from 2017 to 2020 at a tertiary referral center was conducted. Women were grouped based on the preoperative teaching type they received. Healthcare resource utilization was defined as a composite of patient-initiated calls, unscheduled outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and readmissions before the scheduled 6-week postoperative visit. Healthcare resource utilization was compared between in-office and telephone-only groups. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with HRU. RESULTS A total of 1,168 women underwent in-office teaching, and 181 had telephone-only teaching. Of the 1,349 women, 980 (72.6%) had ≥1 HRU encounter and 222 (16.5%) had ≥5 HRU encounters within 6 weeks after surgery. There was no difference between telephone and office groups for composite outcomes of ≥1 HRU (78.5% vs 71.7%, P = 0.06) and ≥5 HRU (13.3% vs 17.0%, P = 0.21) encounters. A failed voiding trial was associated with a 4.4-fold increased risk of ≥5 encounters. Increasing age and body mass index, concomitant hysterectomy, and abdominal route were associated with a decreased likelihood of ≥5 encounters. CONCLUSIONS Three of 4 women had at least 1 unanticipated HRU encounter within 6 weeks after apical prolapse surgery. Preoperative teaching type was not associated with postoperative HRU. Telephone visits may be considered as an alternative to in-office visits for preoperative teaching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lannah L Lua-Mailland
- From the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic; and
| | - Gustavo Roversi
- From the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic; and
| | - Meng Yao
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Section of Biostatistics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Cecile A Ferrando
- From the Center for Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic; and
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Patient Satisfaction With Telehealth Visits for New Patient Appointments for Pelvic Floor Disorders: A Randomized Trial of Telehealth Versus Standard In-Person Office Visits. UROGYNECOLOGY (HAGERSTOWN, MD.) 2023; 29:273-280. [PMID: 36735444 DOI: 10.1097/spv.0000000000001280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The acceptability and safety of telehealth have been reported in urogynecology for preoperative and postoperative care but not new patient consultation. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine if new patient telehealth encounters are noninferior to in-person encounters for women presenting to a urogynecology clinic using a satisfaction questionnaire. Secondary objectives were to describe patient experiences and follow-up. STUDY DESIGN A randomized controlled trial of telehealth versus in-person consults for new patients with any urogynecologic condition was conducted. Patients completed the validated Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire 18 (PSQ-18) after the visit. The primary outcome was composite PSQ-18 score. Using a noninferiority margin of 5 points on the PSQ-18, 25 patients per arm were required with a power of 80% and an α of 0.05. RESULTS From March to September 2021, 133 patients were screened, 71 were randomized, and 58 were included in the final analysis (30 telehealth and 28 in-person). Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire 18 composite scores were high for both groups but higher for in-person versus telehealth visits (75.68 ± 8.55 vs 66.60 ± 11.80; P = 0.001; difference, 9.08); results were inconclusive with respect to noninferiority. Women in the telehealth group expressed uncertainty regarding the telehealth format. There were no differences in short-term follow-up, communication with the office, or treatment chosen between groups. CONCLUSIONS Women seen by urogynecologic providers for a new consult both via in-person or telehealth visits demonstrated high satisfaction with their first visit. We were unable to determine if telehealth is noninferior to in-person visits. Our study adds to the literature that telehealth is safe, effective, and acceptable to patients.
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Halder GE, Rogers RG, Brown HW, Kenton KS, Carlsson E, White A, Caldwell L, High R, Constantine ML. Validation of the Surgical Preparedness Assessment in women with pelvic floor disorders. Int Urogynecol J 2022:10.1007/s00192-022-05418-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05418-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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D’Almeida Lucas Macharet DV, Mendes LN, Pereira GMV, de Castro Monteiro MV. Implementing telemedicine in urogynecology: A feasibility study. Int Urogynecol J 2022:10.1007/s00192-022-05392-2. [PMID: 36331581 PMCID: PMC9638453 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05392-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Telemedicine has been recommended for the management of urogynecological conditions during the coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of telemedicine for urogynecology at a Brazilian public hospital. METHODS A descriptive observational study was performed at a urogynecology outpatient clinic. The primary outcome was the desire to continue with telemedicine. Secondary outcomes were appointment resolvability, technical aspects of the appointment, and patient satisfaction. The participants had in-person appointments that were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical and technical aspects of the appointments. The participants responded to satisfaction questionnaires 7-15 days post-procedure. The categorical variables were evaluated based on absolute and relative frequency. The continuous variables were described as the mean and standard deviation. A chi-square test was performed to determine the association between variables. RESULTS In total, 225 patients had appointments canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 171 were eligible for the study. Telemedicine appointments were agreed upon by 48% of the participants and 85.5% responded to the satisfaction survey. We found that 57.7% of the participants desired to continue with telemedicine. The appointment resolvability rate was 76.1%, 63.4% of the appointments met the technical criteria, and the satisfaction rate was 93%. The only variable associated with the desire to continue telemedicine was overall patient satisfaction (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine in urogynecology is feasible and can be implemented in the studied population. However, actions are essential to adequately support patient preference and improve the acceptance of telemedicine.
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