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Metzger G, Jatana K, Apfeld J, Deans KJ, Minneci PC, Halaweish I. State of telemedicine use in pediatric surgery in the USA—where we stand and what we can gain from the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. WORLD JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY 2021; 4:e000257. [DOI: 10.1136/wjps-2020-000257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundWithin the last decade, the use of telemedicine within in primary care in the USA has greatly expanded; however, use remains uncommon in surgical specialties. The spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prompted healthcare institutions to limit in-person contact, resulting in an increase in telemedicine across all specialties, including pediatric surgery. The aims of this review were to evaluate potential barriers that limited the use of telemedicine in pediatric surgery prior to the COVID-19 period and to define how best to incorporate its use into a pediatric surgical practice going forward.MethodsA scoping review was performed to identify gaps in the literature pertaining to the use of telemedicine within general pediatric surgery in the USA prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. Next, a focused evaluation of the legislative and organizational policies on telemedicine was performed. Lastly, findings were summarized and recommendations for future research developed in the context of understanding and overcoming barriers that have plagued widespread adoption in the past.ResultsDespite evidence of telemedicine being safe and well received by adult surgical patients, a total of only three studies representing original research on the use of telemedicine within pediatric surgery were identified. Legislative and organizational policies regarding telemedicine have been altered in response to COVID-19, likely resulting in an increase in the use of telemedicine among pediatric surgeons.ConclusionsTelemedicine offers a safe and effective option for patients seeking an alternative to the in-person clinic appointment. The increased utilization of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic will provide an opportunity to learn how best to leverage the technology to decrease disparities and to overcome previous barriers.
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Duettmann W, Naik MG, Zukunft B, Osmonodja B, Bachmann F, Choi M, Roller R, Mayrdorfer M, Halleck F, Schmidt D, Budde K. eHealth in transplantation. Transpl Int 2020; 34:16-26. [DOI: 10.1111/tri.13778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Duettmann
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Marcel G. Naik
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Bianca Zukunft
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Bilgin Osmonodja
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Friederike Bachmann
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Mira Choi
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Roland Roller
- German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence Berlin Germany
| | - Manuel Mayrdorfer
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Fabian Halleck
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Danilo Schmidt
- Business Division IT Department of Research and Teaching Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin Berlin Germany
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Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
This article aims to review published outcomes associated with full-thickness vascularized abdominal wall transplantation, with particular emphasis on advances in the field in the last 3 years.
Recent Findings
Forty-six full-thickness vascularized abdominal wall transplants have been performed in 44 patients worldwide. Approximately 35% of abdominal wall transplant recipients will experience at least one episode of acute rejection in the first year after transplant, compared with rejection rates of 87.8% and 72.7% for hand and face transplant respectively. Recent evidence suggests that combining a skin containing abdominal wall transplant with an intestinal transplant does not appear to increase sensitization or de novo donor-specific antibody formation.
Summary
Published data suggests that abdominal wall transplantation is an effective safe solution to achieve primary closure of the abdomen after intestinal or multivisceral transplant. However, better data is needed to confirm observations made and to determine long-term outcomes, requiring standardized data collection and reporting and collaboration between the small number of active transplant centres around the world.
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Herzer K, Sterneck M, Welker MW, Nadalin S, Kirchner G, Braun F, Malessa C, Herber A, Pratschke J, Weiss KH, Jaeckel E, Tacke F. Current Challenges in the Post-Transplant Care of Liver Transplant Recipients in Germany. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113570. [PMID: 33167567 PMCID: PMC7694452 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Improving long-term patient and graft survival after liver transplantation (LT) remains a major challenge. Compared to the early phase after LT, long-term morbidity and mortality of the recipients not only depends on complications immediately related to the graft function, infections, or rejection, but also on medical factors such as de novo malignancies, metabolic disorders (e.g., new-onset diabetes, osteoporosis), psychiatric conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression), renal failure, and cardiovascular diseases. While a comprehensive post-transplant care at the LT center and the connected regional networks may improve outcome, there is currently no generally accepted standard to the post-transplant management of LT recipients in Germany. We therefore described the structure and standards of post-LT care by conducting a survey at 12 German LT centers including transplant hepatologists and surgeons. Aftercare structures and form of cost reimbursement considerably varied between LT centers across Germany. Further discussions and studies are required to define optimal structure and content of post-LT care systems, aiming at improving the long-term outcomes of LT recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Herzer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- Knappschafts-Klinik Bad Neuenahr, 53474 Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany
| | - Martina Sterneck
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Martin-Walter Welker
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Silvio Nadalin
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72016 Tuebingen, Germany;
| | - Gabriele Kirchner
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
- Innere Medizin I, Caritaskrankenhaus St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Felix Braun
- Department for Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Christina Malessa
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Jena, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Adam Herber
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Johann Pratschke
- Department of Surgery, Campus Charité Mitte/Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl Heinz Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Salem Medical Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Integrated Research and Treatment Centre Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Campus Charité Mitte/Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Rutherford E, Noray R, Ó hEarráin C, Quinlan K, Hegarty A, Ekpotu L, Arize C, Fabamwo F, Alrubaiaan A, Bhupalan A, Alshehhi A, Power C, Hill ADK. Potential Benefits and Drawbacks of Virtual Clinics in General Surgery: Pilot Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. JMIR Perioper Med 2020; 3:e12491. [PMID: 33932277 PMCID: PMC7728406 DOI: 10.2196/12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Escalating demand for specialist health care puts considerable demand on hospital services. Technology offers a means by which health care providers may increase the efficiency of health care delivery. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot study of the feasibility, benefits, and drawbacks of a virtual clinic (VC) in the general surgical service of a busy tertiary center. Methods Patient satisfaction with current care and attitudes to VC were surveyed prospectively in the general surgical outpatient department (OPD; n=223). A subset of patients who had undergone endoscopy and day surgery were recruited to follow-up in a VC and subsequently surveyed with regard to their satisfaction (20/243). Other outcomes measured included a comparison of consultation times in traditional and virtual outpatient settings and financial cost to both patients and the institution. Results Almost half of the patients reported barriers to prospective use of VCs. However, within the cohort who had been followed-up in the VC, satisfaction was higher than the traditional OPD (100% as compared with 187/223, 83.9%). Significant savings in both time (P=.003) and financial costs to patients and the institution were found. Conclusions For an appropriately selected group of patients, VCs offer a viable alternative to traditional OPD. This alternative can improve both patient satisfaction and efficiency of patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rutherford
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Roghinio Noray
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caolán Ó hEarráin
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin Quinlan
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aisling Hegarty
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lenin Ekpotu
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chinedum Arize
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiyinfoluwa Fabamwo
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Avinash Bhupalan
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Abdulla Alshehhi
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm Power
- Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Sidhu A, Chaparro C, Chow C, Davies M, Singer LG. Outcomes of telehealth care for lung transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 2019; 33:e13580. [DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aman Sidhu
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Cecilia Chaparro
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Chung‐Wai Chow
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Meny Davies
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Lianne G. Singer
- Department of Medicine University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Toronto Lung Transplant Program University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
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7
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Shazi L, Abbas Z. Ethical dilemmas related to living donor liver transplantation in Asia. Ir J Med Sci 2019; 188:1185-1189. [PMID: 30798504 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-019-01989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has evolved rapidly in Asia with good outcomes for both donor and recipient. Nonetheless, LDLT remains a highly demanding technique and complex surgery. The potential risks to the donors provide the basis for many of the ethical dilemmas associated with LDLT. The transplant team must have a good knowledge of the principles of bioethics in order to handle these matters. To look after the need, donor's safety and the chance for good recipient outcomes, the principles of respect for the donor's autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence should be practiced. In accordance with the concept of equipoise, the risk to the donor must balance the benefit to the recipient. The transplant center should have adequate experience and proven expertise in LDLT. There are concerns regarding the validity of informed consent given by the donor. While donations to non-relative patients may, at first sight, indicate radical altruism, it is important to apply careful scrutiny. Though organ trading is strictly prohibited by the law, there seems to be an inherent risk with directed donations to strangers. Transplant tourism has flourished in some countries in spite of the existence of strict laws. There are reservations regarding transplantation done by foreign visiting teams. Donor websites facilitating patients and donors and Facebook pages bear no responsibility for the outcomes of their matches and cannot ensure sufficient and accurate information about donation, transplantation, and post-operation life. Telemedicine and virtual consultations appeared to work better when the clinician and the patient know and trust each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubna Shazi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital, Ziauddin University, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zaigham Abbas
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital, Ziauddin University, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan.
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Shaw SE, Cameron D, Wherton J, Seuren LM, Vijayaraghavan S, Bhattacharya S, A'Court C, Morris J, Greenhalgh T. Technology-Enhanced Consultations in Diabetes, Cancer, and Heart Failure: Protocol for the Qualitative Analysis of Remote Consultations (QuARC) Project. JMIR Res Protoc 2018; 7:e10913. [PMID: 30064972 PMCID: PMC6092589 DOI: 10.2196/10913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Remote videoconsulting is promoted by policy makers as a way of delivering health care efficiently to an aging population with rising rates of chronic illness. As a radically new service model, it brings operational and interactional challenges in using digital technologies. In-depth research on this dynamic is needed before remote consultations are introduced more widely. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study will be to identify and analyze the communication strategies through which remote consultations are accomplished and to guide patients and clinicians to improve the communicative quality of remote consultations. METHODS In previous research, we collected and analyzed two separate datasets of remote consultations in a National Institute for Health Research-funded study of clinics in East London using Skype and a Wellcome Trust-funded study of specialist community heart failure teams in Oxford using Skype or FaceTime. The Qualitative Analysis of Remote Consultations (QuARC) study will combine datasets and undertake detailed interactional microanalysis of up to 40 remote consultations undertaken by senior and junior doctors and nurse specialists, including consultations with adults with diabetes, women who have diabetes during pregnancy, people consulting for postoperative cancer surgery and community-based patients having routine heart failure reviews along with up to 25 comparable face-to-face consultations. Drawing on established techniques (eg, conversation analysis), analysis will examine the contextual features in remote consultations (eg, restricted visual field) combined with close analysis of different modes of communication (eg, speech, gesture, and gaze). RESULTS Our findings will address the current gap in knowledge about how technology shapes the fine detail of communication in remote consultations. Alongside academic outputs, findings will inform the coproduction of information and guidance about communication strategies to support successful remote consultations. CONCLUSIONS Identifying the communication strategies through which remote consultations are accomplished and producing guidance for patients and clinicians about how to use this kind of technology successfully in consultations is an important and timely goal because roll out of remote consultations is planned across the National Health Service. REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER RR1-10.2196/10913.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Shaw
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Cameron
- Faculty of Linguistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Wherton
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas M Seuren
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Christine A'Court
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Trisha Greenhalgh
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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9
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Shaw S, Wherton J, Vijayaraghavan S, Morris J, Bhattacharya S, Hanson P, Campbell-Richards D, Ramoutar S, Collard A, Hodkinson I, Greenhalgh T. Advantages and limitations of virtual online consultations in a NHS acute trust: the VOCAL mixed-methods study. HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.3310/hsdr06210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThere is much enthusiasm from clinicians, industry and the government to utilise digital technologies and introduce alternatives to face-to-face consultations.Objective(s)To define good practice and inform digital technology implementation in relation to remote consultations via Skype™ (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA) and similar technologies.DesignMultilevel mixed-methods study of remote video consultations (micro level) embedded in an organisational case study (meso level), taking account of the national context and wider influences (macro level).SettingThree contrasting clinical settings (Diabetes, Antenatal Diabetes and Cancer Surgery) in a NHS acute trust.Data collection and analysisMacro level – interviews with 12 national-level stakeholders combined with document analysis. Meso level – longitudinal organisational ethnography comprising over 300 hours of observations, 24 staff interviews and analysis of 16 documents. Micro level – 30 video-recorded remote consultations; 17 matched audio-recorded face-to-face consultations. Interview and ethnographic data were analysed thematically and theorised using strong structuration theory. Consultations were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the Roter interaction analysis system (RIAS), producing descriptive statistics on different kinds of talk and interaction.ResultsPolicy-makers viewed remote video consultations as a way of delivering health care efficiently in the context of rising rates of chronic illness and growing demand for services. However, the reality of establishing such services in a busy and financially stretched NHS acute trust proved to be far more complex and expensive than anticipated. Embedding new models of care took much time and many resources, and required multiple workarounds. Considerable ongoing effort was needed to adapt and align structures, processes and people within clinics and across the organisation. For practical and safety reasons, virtual consultations were not appropriate for every patient or every consultation. By the end of this study, between 2% and 20% of all consultations were being undertaken remotely in participating clinics. Technical challenges in setting up such consultations were typically minor, but potentially prohibitive. When clinical, technical and practical preconditions were met, virtual consultations appeared to be safe and were popular with both patients and staff. Compared with face-to-face consultations, virtual consultations were very slightly shorter, patients did slightly more talking and both parties sometimes needed to make explicit things that typically remained implicit in a traditional encounter. Virtual consultations appeared to work better when the clinician and the patient knew and trusted each other. Some clinicians used Skype adaptively to support ad hoc clinician-initiated and spontaneous patient-initiated encounters. Other clinicians chose not to use the new service model at all.ConclusionsVirtual consultations appear to be safe, effective and convenient for patients who are preselected by their clinicians as ‘suitable’, but such patients represent a small fraction of clinic workloads. There are complex challenges to embedding virtual consultation services within routine practice in the NHS. Roll-out (across the organisation) and scale-up (to other organisations) are likely to require considerable support.LimitationsThe focus on a single NHS organisation raises questions about the transferability of findings, especially quantitative data on likely uptake rates.Future researchFurther studies on the micro-analysis of virtual consultations and on the spread and scale-up of virtual consulting services are planned.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Shaw
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Joseph Wherton
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Trisha Greenhalgh
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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10
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Greenhalgh T, Shaw S, Wherton J, Vijayaraghavan S, Morris J, Bhattacharya S, Hanson P, Campbell-Richards D, Ramoutar S, Collard A, Hodkinson I. Real-World Implementation of Video Outpatient Consultations at Macro, Meso, and Micro Levels: Mixed-Method Study. J Med Internet Res 2018; 20:e150. [PMID: 29625956 PMCID: PMC5930173 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.9897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is much interest in virtual consultations using video technology. Randomized controlled trials have shown video consultations to be acceptable, safe, and effective in selected conditions and circumstances. However, this model has rarely been mainstreamed and sustained in real-world settings. Objective The study sought to (1) define good practice and inform implementation of video outpatient consultations and (2) generate transferable knowledge about challenges to scaling up and routinizing this service model. Methods A multilevel, mixed-method study of Skype video consultations (micro level) was embedded in an organizational case study (meso level), taking account of national context and wider influences (macro level). The study followed the introduction of video outpatient consultations in three clinical services (diabetes, diabetes antenatal, and cancer surgery) in a National Health Service trust (covering three hospitals) in London, United Kingdom. Data sources included 36 national-level stakeholders (exploratory and semistructured interviews), longitudinal organizational ethnography (300 hours of observations; 24 staff interviews), 30 videotaped remote consultations, 17 audiotaped face-to-face consultations, and national and local documents. Qualitative data, analyzed using sociotechnical change theories, addressed staff and patient experience and organizational and system drivers. Quantitative data, analyzed via descriptive statistics, included uptake of video consultations by staff and patients and microcategorization of different kinds of talk (using the Roter interaction analysis system). Results When clinical, technical, and practical preconditions were met, video consultations appeared safe and were popular with some patients and staff. Compared with face-to-face consultations for similar conditions, video consultations were very slightly shorter, patients did slightly more talking, and both parties sometimes needed to make explicit things that typically remained implicit in a traditional encounter. Video consultations appeared to work better when the clinician and patient already knew and trusted each other. Some clinicians used Skype adaptively to respond to patient requests for ad hoc encounters in a way that appeared to strengthen supported self-management. The reality of establishing video outpatient services in a busy and financially stretched acute hospital setting proved more complex and time-consuming than originally anticipated. By the end of this study, between 2% and 22% of consultations were being undertaken remotely by participating clinicians. In the remainder, clinicians chose not to participate, or video consultations were considered impractical, technically unachievable, or clinically inadvisable. Technical challenges were typically minor but potentially prohibitive. Conclusions Video outpatient consultations appear safe, effective, and convenient for patients in situations where participating clinicians judge them clinically appropriate, but such situations are a fraction of the overall clinic workload. As with other technological innovations, some clinicians will adopt readily, whereas others will need incentives and support. There are complex challenges to embedding video consultation services within routine practice in organizations that are hesitant to change, especially in times of austerity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha Greenhalgh
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Shaw
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Wherton
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Isabel Hodkinson
- Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Fleming JN, Taber DJ, McElligott J, McGillicuddy JW, Treiber F. Mobile Health in Solid Organ Transplant: The Time Is Now. Am J Transplant 2017; 17:2263-2276. [PMID: 28188681 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite being in existence for >40 years, the application of telemedicine has lagged significantly in comparison to its generated interest. Detractors include the immobile design of most historic telemedicine interventions and the relative lack of smartphones among the general populace. Recently, the exponential increase in smartphone ownership and familiarity have provided the potential for the development of mobile health (mHealth) interventions that can be mirrored realistically in clinical applications. Existing studies have demonstrated some potential clinical benefits of mHealth in the various phases of solid organ transplantation (SOT). Furthermore, studies in nontransplant chronic diseases may be used to guide future studies in SOT. Nevertheless, substantially more must be accomplished before mHealth becomes mainstream. Further evidence of clinical benefits and a critical need for cost-effectiveness analysis must prove its utility to patients, clinicians, hospitals, insurers, and the federal government. The SOT population is an ideal one in which to demonstrate the benefits of mHealth. In this review, the current evidence and status of mHealth in SOT is discussed, and a general path forward is presented that will allow buy-in from the health care community, insurers, and the federal government to move mHealth from research to standard care.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Fleming
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - D J Taber
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.,Department of Pharmacy, Ralph H Johnson VAMC, Charleston, SC
| | - J McElligott
- Center for Telehealth, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - J W McGillicuddy
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - F Treiber
- Technology Center to Advance Healthful Lifestyles, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
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