| Autor: |
S. Westley, R. Mistry, B. Dheansa |
| Jazyk: |
angličtina |
| Rok vydání: |
2022 |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
JPRAS Open, Vol 31, Iss , Pp 92-98 (2022) |
| Druh dokumentu: |
article |
| ISSN: |
2352-5878 |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.jpra.2021.10.008 |
| Popis: |
Summary: A virtual clinic was developed from an existing telemedicine system to manage hand trauma in the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluates the accuracy of the assessments made and makes comparisons to the traditional face-to-face clinic.The accuracy of assessment was analysed by comparing diagnosis with findings at surgery. One hundred and eighty-nine virtual assessments conducted by telephone with photographic data or by video were compared to 129 face-to-face assessments conducted prior to the pandemic.There was no difference in the accuracy of virtual and face-to-face clinics for patients treated surgically (p=0.27); treatment was correctly predicted for 87% of the virtual group and 78% of the face-to-face group. However, fewer virtual assessments led to a surgical outcome (p=0.0064); 68% of the virtual group had surgical outcomes compared to 82% of the face-to-face group. Most face-to-face assessments were done by a specialty trainee compared to a range of clinicians in the virtual clinic. Accuracy of assessment among trainees was significantly associated with experience for the virtual (p=0.045) but not face-to-face clinics (p=0.94). Virtual assessment by video versus telephone plus photographs were similarly accurate.We conclude that virtual triage serves as a successful alternative to face-to-face appointments. It is robust and succeeds in reducing footfall to the hospital site in line with recent social distancing measures against COVID-19. We have shown that video conferencing triage is no better than telemedicine triage with telephone and photographs. |
| Databáze: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Externí odkaz: |
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