Telemedicine Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of an International Survey

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to survey hand surgeons' perspectives on telemedicine during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and intended applications after the pandemic.

Methods Online surveys were sent to 285 Canadian and American surgeons in late April and early May 2020.

Results Response rate was 63% (180)—84% (152) American and 16% (28) Canadian. Forty-three percent (76) of respondents were in private practice, 36% (64) academics, 13% (24) privademics, and 6% (12) hospital employed. The most common telemedicine platform was Zoom. During the pandemic, 42% of patient visits were conducted via telemedicine; however, 37% required a subsequent in-person office visit. The most common complaint by surgeons was the inability to provide routine in-office procedures. The most beneficial feature was ease of use, and the most frustrating feature was connectivity difficulty. Time spent was similar to in-person visits, and surgeons were likely to recommend their platforms. Surgeons were neutral about using telehealth in the future and were most likely to use it for follow-up visits. New patient visits for traumatic injuries or fractures were of limited value. Canadians used telemedicine for a greater proportion than Americans (50 vs. 40%, p <0.05) and spent more time than in-person visits (7/10 vs. 5/10, p <0.05). Americans were more likely to use telemedicine for postoperative follow-up visits (6/10 vs. 4/10, p <0.05) and in mornings before clinic opens (4/10 vs. 2/10, p <0.05). Private practices were more likely to use telemedicine for future allied health provider visits than all other practice types (p <0.05).

Conclusion Telemedicine comprised nearly half of patient encounters during the COVID-19 pandemic, but limitations remain.

Keywords

COVID-19 - telemedicine - telehealth - hand surgery - virtual visits

Ethical Approval

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008. This study was reviewed by the Rush University Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB) and was approved for a waiver of informed consent.

Publication History

Received: 12 April 2021

Accepted: 08 June 2021

Article published online:
14 July 2021

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