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Schmidhuber C, Strotbaum V, Beckers R, Hempen A, Benstöm C, Marx G, Dohmen S. [Potential of a Telemedical, Inpatient-Outpatient Care Concept to Improve the Quality of Healthcare from the User's Perspective - An Acceptance Analysis of the TELnet@NRW Study]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2024. [PMID: 39106885 DOI: 10.1055/a-2348-3136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to measure the acceptance of a telemedical, inpatient-outpatient care concept by physicians, patients and the relatives of patients. Based on a quantitative survey of acceptance, both the potential and success factors influencing the use of telemedicine were to be highlighted. METHODS The TELnet@NRW study is a national, multicenter, cluster-randomized study in stepped-wedge design conducted from February 2017 to January 2020 for the purpose of documenting changes in the quality of care through telemedicine in an inpatient-outpatient network. Consultations were focused on intensive care medicine and infectious diseases. This current study used questionnaires for specific groups of patients to determine acceptance of the telemedical care concept practiced in the main study. The survey was anonymously conducted once in either digital or paper-based form during the reporting period. RESULTS The answers of 126 questionnaires from physicians and 1686 questionnaires from patients and their relatives were evaluated. The physicians of both sectors attributed high potential (up to 88.4%) for telemedicine to improve guideline-adherent treatment. A trustworthy and appreciative communication during the telemedical consultation represented a positively reinforcing success factor. The additional workload generated by telemedicine inhibited acceptance, especially in the inpatient sector. A continuation of telemedicine beyond the end of the project was supported by the majority of surveyed physicians (inpatient 60.6%, outpatient 82.1%) as well as in patients and their relatives (inpatient 79.7%, outpatient 57.4%) in both sectors. CONCLUSION There is widespread acceptance of telemedical, inpatient-outpatient care concepts among physicians, patients and their relatives. Low-effort processes and user-centered technology are crucial to increase the rate of use. Telemedicine has the potential to improve the quality of care and can serve as a robust component of sustainable healthcare in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Schmidhuber
- Klinik für Operative Intensivmedizin und Intermediate Care, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Veronika Strotbaum
- Gesundheitscampus 10, Landeszentrum Gesundheit Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rainer Beckers
- Telemedizin, Zentrum für Telematik und Telemedizin GmbH, Bochum, Germany
| | - Annette Hempen
- Telemedizin, Ärztenetz Medizin und Mehr eG, Bünde, Germany
| | - Carina Benstöm
- Klinik für Operative Intensivmedizin und Intermediate Care, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gernot Marx
- Klinik für Operative Intensivmedizin und Intermediate Care, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Dohmen
- Klinik für Operative Intensivmedizin und Intermediate Care, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Lawrence K, Mann D. Virtual-first care: Opportunities and challenges for the future of diagnostic reasoning. CLINICAL TEACHER 2024; 21:e13720. [PMID: 38221668 DOI: 10.1111/tct.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Lawrence
- Department of Population Health (DPH) and Medical Center Information Technology (MCIT), New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Devin Mann
- Department of Population Health (DPH) and Medical Center Information Technology (MCIT), New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
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Mandal S, Wiesenfeld BM, Mann DM, Szerencsy AC, Iturrate E, Nov O. Quantifying the impact of telemedicine and patient medical advice request messages on physicians' work-outside-work. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:35. [PMID: 38355913 PMCID: PMC10867011 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted digital health utilization, raising concerns about increased physicians' after-hours clinical work ("work-outside-work"). The surge in patients' digital messages and additional time spent on work-outside-work by telemedicine providers underscores the need to evaluate the connection between digital health utilization and physicians' after-hours commitments. We examined the impact on physicians' workload from two types of digital demands - patients' messages requesting medical advice (PMARs) sent to physicians' inbox (inbasket), and telemedicine. Our study included 1716 ambulatory-care physicians in New York City regularly practicing between November 2022 and March 2023. Regression analyses assessed primary and interaction effects of (PMARs) and telemedicine on work-outside-work. The study revealed a significant effect of PMARs on physicians' work-outside-work and that this relationship is moderated by physicians' specialties. Non-primary care physicians or specialists experienced a more pronounced effect than their primary care peers. Analysis of their telemedicine load revealed that primary care physicians received fewer PMARs and spent less time in work-outside-work with more telemedicine. Specialists faced increased PMARs and did more work-outside-work as telemedicine visits increased which could be due to the difference in patient panels. Reducing PMAR volumes and efficient inbasket management strategies needed to reduce physicians' work-outside-work. Policymakers need to be cognizant of potential disruptions in physicians carefully balanced workload caused by the digital health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumik Mandal
- Dept of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Technology Management & Innovation, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Batia M Wiesenfeld
- New York University Leonard N Stern School of Business, New York, NY, USA
| | - Devin M Mann
- Dept of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- MCIT Department of Health Informatics, NYU Langone Health, New York, USA
| | - Adam C Szerencsy
- MCIT Department of Health Informatics, NYU Langone Health, New York, USA
| | - Eduardo Iturrate
- Dept of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oded Nov
- Technology Management & Innovation, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY, USA
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Wilczewski H, Ong T, Ivanova J, Soni H, Barrera JF, Cummins MR, Welch BM, Bunnell BE. Telemedicine from Home or the Office: Perceptions of Mental Health Providers. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:422-429. [PMID: 37466479 PMCID: PMC10877387 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0141] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid transition to telemedicine for mental health care and redefined many providers' work environments and practices. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of work location on telemental health (TMH) benefits, disruptions, and concerns to further understand the rapid implementation of telemedicine for mental health treatment. Methods: A sample of 175 practicing TMH providers completed an online survey between July and August 2020. Providers answered questions about personal demographics and practice characteristics. Next, they answered questions about benefits, disruptions, and concerns regarding the use of telemedicine in their practice. Chi-square and independent samples t-test were conducted to identify work location differences for personal demographics and clinical practice characteristics. Three multivariate analyses of covariance were conducted to examine overall differences in perceptions of telemedicine benefits, concerns, and disruptions based on work location while covarying for provider race, ethnicity, percentage of caseload seen through telemedicine, practice type, specialty, and primary method of reimbursement. Results: TMH providers who primarily work from an office reported more benefit of reduced costs/overhead (ηp2 = 0.039), less benefit of limiting the spread of the virus (ηp2 = 0.028), and more concern about reimbursement (ηp2 = 0.046) than those who primarily work from home. We observed no difference in disruptions, patient access to care, quality of care, and work-life balance. Discussion: Exploration into work location of TMH providers aids in understanding of clinical workflows and provider wellbeing. Our findings suggest that telemedicine may be easily integrated into different types of clinical workflows and work locations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Triton Ong
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Julia Ivanova
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Hiral Soni
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Janelle F. Barrera
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Mollie R. Cummins
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- College of Nursing and Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Brandon M. Welch
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Brian E. Bunnell
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Tan SH, Wong CK, Yap YY, Tan SK. Factors influencing telemedicine adoption among physicians in the Malaysian healthcare system: A revisit. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076241257050. [PMID: 38854922 PMCID: PMC11159542 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241257050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Malaysian healthcare system is under strain due to an aging population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and heavy workloads among physicians. As costs and requirements continue to rise, telemedicine is critical for bridging gaps in supply and demand. However, there are limited studies on telemedicine adoption among Malaysian physicians. Furthermore, the existing literature on telemedicine adoption does not contain a comprehensive framework that integrates the multidimensional social influence, and technological, clinical, and individual factors. Objective This research investigates the adoption of telemedicine among Malaysian physicians. It draws from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Kelman's Social Influence Theory. Methods A survey was conducted among 230 participants in hospitals located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results The study identified crucial factors influencing telemedicine adoption, including informational influences, rewards, perceived ease of use, and usefulness. Meanwhile, the Importance-performance Map Analysis (IPMA) identified perceived ease of use as the most important factor for physicians, but the highest performance was patient's records. Conclusions The proposed integrated model enhances the understanding of telemedicine adoption and highlights the differential effects of individual, technological, clinical, and multidimensional social influence factors from the physicians' perspective. The findings can guide future studies and influence implementation strategies for telemedicine promotion in the Malaysian healthcare context. Hospitals should prioritize user-friendly technology and information provision, while telemedicine providers should enhance the accessibility of patient records to facilitate telemedicine adoption. Policymakers should consider supporting training programs that will boost physicians' confidence in effectively utilizing telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siow-Hooi Tan
- Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya,
Malaysia
| | - Chee-Kuan Wong
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee-Yann Yap
- Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya,
Malaysia
| | - Siow-Kian Tan
- Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya,
Malaysia
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Holmgren AJ, Thombley R, Sinsky CA, Adler-Milstein J. Changes in Physician Electronic Health Record Use With the Expansion of Telemedicine. JAMA Intern Med 2023; 183:1357-1365. [PMID: 37902737 PMCID: PMC10616769 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.5738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Importance Understanding the drivers of electronic health record (EHR) burden, including EHR time and patient messaging, may directly inform strategies to address physician burnout. Given the COVID-19-induced expansion of telemedicine-now used for a substantial proportion of ambulatory encounters-its association with EHR burden should be evaluated. Objective To measure the association of the telemedicine expansion with time spent working in the EHR and with patient messaging among ambulatory physicians before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal cohort study analyzed weekly EHR metadata of ambulatory physicians at UCSF Health, a large academic medical center. The same EHR measures were compared for 1 year before the COVID-19 pandemic (August 2018-September 2019) with the same period 1 year after its onset (August 2020-September 2021). Multivariable regression models evaluating the association between level of telemedicine use and EHR use were then assessed after the onset of the pandemic. The sample included all physician-weeks with at least 1 scheduled half-day clinic in the 11 largest ambulatory specialties at UCSF Health. Data analyses were performed from March 1, 2022, through July 1, 2023. Exposures Physicians' weekly modality mix of either entirely face-to-face visits, mixed modalities, or entirely telemedicine. Main Outcomes and Measures The EHR time during and outside of patient scheduled hours (PSHs), time spent documenting (normalized per 8 PSHs), and electronic messages sent to and received from patients. Results The study sample included 1052 physicians (437 [41.5%] men and 615 [58.5%] women) during 115 weeks, which provided 35 697 physician-week observations. Comparing the period before to the period after pandemic onset showed that physician time spent working in the EHR during PSHs increased from 4.53 to 5.46 hours per 8 PSH (difference, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.98; P < 0.001); outside of PSHs, increased from 4.29 to 5.34 hours (difference, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.95-1.14; P < 0.001); and time documenting during and outside of PSHs increased from 6.35 to 8.18 hours (difference, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.72-1.94; P < 0.001). Mean weekly messages received from patients increased from 16.76 to 30.33, and messages sent to patients increased from 13.82 to 29.83. In multivariable models, weeks with a mix of face-to-face and telemedicine (β, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31-0.55; P < .001) visits or entirely telemedicine (β, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.74-1.09; P < .001) had more EHR time during PSHs than all face-to-face weeks, with similar results for EHR time outside of PSHs. There was no association between telemedicine use and messages received from patients, whereas mixed modalities (β, -0.90; 95% CI, -1.73 to -0.08; P = .03) and all telemedicine (β, -4.06; 95% CI, -5.19 to -2.93; P < .001) were associated with fewer messages sent to patients compared with entirely face-to-face weeks. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this longitudinal cohort study suggest that telemedicine is associated with greater physician time spent working in the EHR, both during and outside of scheduled hours, mostly documenting visits and not messaging patients. Health systems may need to adjust productivity expectations for physicians and develop strategies to address EHR documentation burden for physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Jay Holmgren
- Division of Clinical Informatics and Digital Transformation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Robert Thombley
- Division of Clinical Informatics and Digital Transformation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Christine A. Sinsky
- Practice Transformational Office, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Julia Adler-Milstein
- Division of Clinical Informatics and Digital Transformation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
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Graham SA, Pickus SK, Lockwood KG, Buch LS, Dunn P, Paruthi J. Business vs After-Hours Use of an Artificial Intelligence-Powered Digital Health Platform Among Insured Patients. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2333511. [PMID: 37703019 PMCID: PMC10500375 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33511] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This cross-sectional study assesses usage patterns of an AI-powered patient digital health platform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Patrick Dunn
- Center for Health Technology and Innovation, American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas
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Giunta DH, Huespe IA, Alonso Serena M, Luna D, Gonzalez Bernaldo de Quirós F. Development and validation of nonattendance predictive models for scheduled adult outpatient appointments in different medical specialties. Int J Health Plann Manage 2023; 38:377-397. [PMID: 36324194 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonattendance is a critical problem that affects health care worldwide. Our aim was to build and validate predictive models of nonattendance in all outpatients appointments, general practitioners, and clinical and surgical specialties. METHODS A cohort study of adult patients, who had scheduled outpatient appointments for General Practitioners, Clinical and Surgical specialties, was conducted between January 2015 and December 2016, at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires. We evaluated potential predictors grouped in baseline patient characteristics, characteristics of the appointment scheduling process, patient history, characteristics of the appointment, and comorbidities. Patients were divided between those who attended their appointments, and those who did not. We generated predictive models for nonattendance for all appointments and the three subgroups. RESULTS Of 2,526,549 appointments included, 703,449 were missed (27.8%). The predictive model for all appointments contains 30 variables, with an area under the ROC (AUROC) curve of 0.71, calibration-in-the-large (CITL) of 0.046, and calibration slope of 1.03 in the validation cohort. For General Practitioners the model has 28 variables (AUROC of 0.72, CITL of 0.053, and calibration slope of 1.01). For clinical subspecialties, the model has 23 variables (AUROC of 0.71, CITL of 0.039, and calibration slope of 1), and for surgical specialties, the model has 22 variables (AUROC of 0.70, CITL of 0.023, and calibration slope of 1.01). CONCLUSION We build robust predictive models of nonattendance with adequate precision and calibration for each of the subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Hernán Giunta
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina.,Research Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina.,University Institute of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (IUHI), CABA, Argentina.,National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CONICET), CABA, Argentina
| | - Ivan Alfredo Huespe
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Marina Alonso Serena
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Daniel Luna
- National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - CONICET), CABA, Argentina.,Health Informatics Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Fernan Gonzalez Bernaldo de Quirós
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina.,University Institute of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (IUHI), CABA, Argentina.,Health Informatics Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
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