RESUMO
Virtual visits (VVs) are necessitated due to the public health crisis and social distancing mandates due to COVID-19. However, these have been rare in ophthalmology. Over 3.5 years of conducting >350 ophthalmological VVs, our group has gained numerous insights into best practices. This communication shares these experiences with the medical community to support patient care during this difficult time and beyond. We highlight that mastering the technological platform of choice, optimizing lighting, camera positioning, and "eye contact," being thoughtful and creative with the virtual eye examination, and ensuring good documenting and billing will make a successful and efficient VV. Moreover, we think these ideas will stimulate further VV creativity and expertise to be developed in ophthalmology and across medicine. This approach, holds promise for increasing its adoption after the crisis has passed.
Assuntos
Infecções por Coronavirus/epidemiologia , Oftalmologia/métodos , Pneumonia Viral/epidemiologia , Telemedicina/métodos , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Confidencialidade/normas , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Oftalmológico/normas , Documentação , Humanos , Reembolso de Seguro de Saúde , Iluminação , Pandemias , Relações Médico-Paciente , Padrões de Prática Médica/normas , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Missed appointments complicate primary care services. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with missed pediatric appointments. DESIGN/METHODS: A convenience sample of 1537 patients who missed appointments were called and 386 (25%) families completed the 26-item survey. Those with high no-show rates were compared with the rest using χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests. Initial covariates with P < .2 were included in a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Common reasons for missing appointments were the following: forgot (27%), transportation problems (21%), and time off of work (14%). The high no-show group had more African Americans (P = .030) and older patients (P = .003). Higher no-show rates correlated with well child visits (P = .029) and perception of "excellent health" (P = .022). In the logistic regression model, well child appointments (odds ratio = 2.56) and increasing age in years (odds ratio = 1.11) were associated with higher no-show rates. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to decrease no-show rates should target older patients and well child visits.