It Was Like Going to a Battlefield: Lived Experience of Frontline Nurses Supporting Two Hospitals in Wuhan During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The literature indicates that pandemics significantly impact the mental health of frontline health workers. While the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of frontline nurses have been studied, their lived experiences remain insufficiently explored. Objective: This study aims to investigate the lived experience of nurses who were deployed to support Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study adopted a qualitative study design. A purposive sample of fifteen nurses were recruited from a group of nurses who supported Wuhan during COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected during May and June 2020. Data collection occurred in May and June 2020, employing semistructured interviews conducted via telephone. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was utilized to analyze the collected data by two independent researchers. This report follows the COREQ checklist. Results: Frontline nurses supporting Wuhan likened their experience to being on a battlefield. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) mobilization for combating COVID-19; (2) rapid adaption to a dynamic high-stress environment; (3) navigating psychological distress; and (4) the journey home. Conclusion: This study offers comprehensive insights into the lived experience of nurses deployed from other provinces to assist COVID patients in Wuhan. The findings indicate that despite facing a variety of challenges, these frontline nurses were capable of rapid adaptation and successfully fulfilled their roles. Recommendations for future preparedness in public health emergencies are provided. Additionally, follow-up research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of frontline experience on the mental health of the nurses and their family members.

General practitioner preferences for telehealth consultations in Australia: a pilot survey and discrete choice experiment.

AIM: To identify and quantify general practitioner (GP) preferences related to service attributes of clinical consultations, including telehealth consultations, in Australia. BACKGROUND: GPs have been increasingly using telehealth to deliver patient care since the onset of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. GP preferences for telehealth service models will play an important role in the uptake and sustainability of telehealth services post-pandemic. METHODS: An online survey was used to ask GPs general telehealth questions and have them complete a discrete choice experiment (DCE). The DCE elicited GP preferences for various service attributes of telehealth (telephone and videoconference) consultations. The DCE investigated five service attributes, including consultation mode, consultation purpose, consultation length, quality of care and rapport, and patient co-payment. Participants were presented with eight choice sets, each containing three options to choose from. Descriptive statistics was used, and mixed logit models were used to estimate and analyse the DCE data. FINDINGS: A total of 60 GPs fully completed the survey. Previous telehealth experiences impacted direct preferences towards telehealth consultations across clinical presentations, although in-person modes were generally favoured (in approximately 70% of all scenarios). The DCE results lacked statistical significance which demonstrated undiscernible differences between GP preferences for some service attributes. However, it was found that GPs prefer to provide a consultation with good quality care and rapport (P < 002). GPs would also prefer to provide care to their patients rather than decline a consultation due to consultation mode, length or purpose (P < 0.0001). Based on the findings, GPs value the ability to provide high-quality care and develop rapport during a clinical consultation. This highlights the importance of recognising value-based care for future policy reforms, to ensure continued adoption and sustainability of GP telehealth services in Australia.

A systematic review of synchronous telepharmacy service models for adult outpatients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Telephone and videoconsults are known synchronous telepharmacy modalities being used to respond to the demand for outpatient pharmacy services. However, little is known about the evidence for cancer telepharmacy service models. OBJECTIVES: To review existing evidence regarding synchronous telepharmacy service models for adult outpatients with cancer, with a secondary focus on outcomes, enablers, and barriers. METHODS: A PROSPERO registered systematic review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE in March 2023. Key search terms included pharmacy, telepharmacy, and outpatient. During article selection in Covidence, an extra inclusion criterion of synchronous cancer-focused services was applied; data extraction and narrative analysis were then performed. RESULTS: From 2129 non-duplicate articles, 8 were eligible for inclusion, describing 7 unique patient populations. The service models included pre-treatment medication history taking, adherence monitoring, toxicity assessment, and discharge follow-up. Studies found synchronous telepharmacy services can improve timeliness of care, optimise workload management, and provide individualised and convenient efficacy monitoring and counselling. One study of 177 patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors found 38% of the 726 telephone consults involved at least one intervention. When videoconsults were compared directly with telephone consults for pre-treatment medication history, it was found scheduled videoconsults had a significantly higher success rate than unscheduled telephone consults, and that videoconsults also represented increased funding and equivalent time efficiency. When telephone follow-up was compared to no follow-up, improved treatment adherence was seen, and progression-free survival was significantly higher for the telephone group (6.1 months vs 3.7 months, p = 0.001). Reported enablers included physician buy-in, staff resources, and correct utilisation of technology, while identified barriers included time investment required and technical issues. CONCLUSION: Both telephone and videoconsult modalities are being used to deliver synchronous telepharmacy services across a range of outpatient services. Although more evidence is needed, data to date supports positive service benefits and enhanced care.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of text messaging interventions to support tobacco cessation.

OBJECTIVE: To review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of text message-based interventions for smoking cessation, including the effects of dose (number of text messages) and concomitant use of behavioural or pharmacological interventions. DATA SOURCES: We searched seven databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science), Google Scholar and the reference lists of relevant publications for RCTs. Eligible studies included participants aged ≥15 years who smoked tobacco at enrolment. STUDY SELECTION: One reviewer screened titles and abstracts and two reviewers independently screened full texts of articles. DATA EXTRACTION: One of three reviewers independently extracted data on study and intervention characteristics and smoking abstinence rates using Qualtrics software. DATA SYNTHESIS: 30 of the 40 included studies reported higher rates of smoking cessation among those receiving text messaging interventions compared with comparators, but only 10 were statistically significant. A meta-analysis of seven RCTs found that participants receiving text messages were significantly more likely to quit smoking compared with participants in no/minimal intervention or 'usual care' conditions (risk ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.52 to 2.29, p <0.001). Three trials found no benefit from a higher dose of text messages on smoking cessation. Two trials that tested the added benefit of text messaging to pharmacotherapy reported outcomes in favour of adding text messaging. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that text messaging-based interventions are effective at promoting smoking cessation. Further research is required to establish if any additional benefit is gained from an increased number of text messages or concurrent pharmacotherapy or behavioural counselling.

Telephone versus video consultations: A systematic review of comparative effectiveness studies and guidance for choosing the most appropriate modality.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review compared clinical, service and cost effectiveness of telephone consultations (TC) to video consultations (VC). METHODS: We searched Embase, CINAHL and MEDLINE for empirical studies that compared TC to VC using clinical, service or economic outcome measures. Clinician or patient preference and satisfaction studies were excluded. Findings were synthesised descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 79 articles were included. The most effective modality was found to be VC in 40 studies (50%) and TC in 3 (4%). VC and TC were found to be equivalent in 28 of the included articles (35%). VC were superior or equivalent to TC for all clinical outcomes. When compared to TC, VC were likely to have better patient engagement and retention, to improve transfer decisions, and reduce downstream sub-acute care utilisation. The impact of telehealth modality on consultation time, completion rates, failure-to-attend rates and acute care utilisation was mixed. VC were consistently found to be more cost effective despite having a higher incremental cost than TC. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review demonstrates equal or better, but not inferior clinical and cost outcomes for consultations delivered by VC when compared to TC. VC appear to be more clinically effective when visual information is required, when verbal communication with the patient is impaired and when patient engagement and retention is linked to clinical outcomes. We have provided conditions where VC should be used in preference to TC. These can be used by clinicians to guide the choice of telehealth modality. Cost effectiveness is also important to consider when choosing modality.

Economic evaluations of telepharmacy services in non-cancer settings: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Telepharmacy is the provision of pharmacy services from a distance to a patient using telecommunications and other technologies. There has been limited research investigating the cost-effectiveness of telepharmacy services. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive review and narrative synthesis of the available economic evidence on telepharmacy services in non-cancer settings. METHOD: A systematic literature search of four databases including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and EconLit was undertaken to identify economic evaluations comparing telepharmacy services to standard pharmacy care. Abstracts and full texts were screened by two independent reviewers for inclusion against the eligibility criteria. Key economic findings were extracted from included articles to determine the cost-effectiveness of the reported telepharmacy services. RESULTS: The review included six studies; two were cost-minimisation analyses, three were cost effectiveness analyses (CEA) and one study conducted both a CEA and cost-utility analysis. Telepharmacy services predominantly relied upon telephone modes of communication, with three that used remote patient monitoring. These services managed a variety of clinical situations which included newly initiated antibiotics, antiretroviral therapy management, and medications for chronic conditions, as well as hypertension management. Articles were of relatively high reporting quality, scoring an average of 83% on the Consolidated Health Economics Reporting Standards checklist. Four of the six studies reported that telepharmacy was less costly than usual care, with two that reported telepharmacy as cost-effective to the healthcare system according to a specified cost-effectiveness threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this review demonstrates that there is emerging evidence that telepharmacy services can be cost-effective compared with standard care in non-cancer settings. Further research is needed to complement these findings, particularly reflecting the increased uptake of telehealth and telepharmacy services since the onset of the Coronavirus disease pandemic.

Advanced-scope pharmacist roles in medical outpatient clinics: a cost-consequence analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing body of evidence that supports the clinical effectiveness of pharmacist roles in outpatient settings. However, limited studies have investigated the economic efficiency of advanced-scope outpatient pharmacist roles, particularly in the Australian setting. Assessing the overall costs and benefits of these outpatient pharmacist roles is needed to ensure service sustainability. AIMS: To use a cost-consequence approach to evaluate the advanced-scope outpatient pharmacist roles across multiple clinic disciplines from the hospital perspective. METHODS: A cost-consequence analysis was undertaken using data from a previous clinical-effectiveness study. All outpatient pharmacist consults conducted from 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2020 across 18 clinic disciplines were evaluated. Consequences from the pharmacist services included number of consults conducted, number of medication-related activities and number of resolved recommendations. RESULTS: The overall cost to the hospital for the outpatient pharmacist service across all clinics was AU$1 991 122, with a potential remuneration of AU$3 895 247. There were 10 059 pharmacist consults undertaken for the 12-month period. Medication-related activities performed by pharmacists primarily included 6438 counselling and education activities and 4307 medication list activities. When the specialist pharmacist roles were added to the outpatient clinics, several health service benefits were also realised. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of pharmacist roles to outpatient clinics can increase the cost of services; however, they also can increase medication optimisation activities. Future research should examine a societal perspective that includes broader cost and effectiveness outcomes. This study could justify the implementation of advanced-scope outpatient pharmacist roles in other Australian hospitals.

Cost-effectiveness of remote patient monitoring for First Nations peoples living with diabetes in regional Australia.

The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of remote patient monitoring (RPM) with First Nations peoples living with diabetes. This study was set at the Goondir Health Service (GHS), an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health in South-West Queensland. Electronic medical records and RPM data were provided by the GHS. Clinical effectiveness was determined by comparing mean HbA1c before and after enrolment in the RPM service. Our analysis found no statistically significant effect between the mean HbA1c before and after enrolment, so this analysis focused on net-benefit and return on investment for costs from the perspective of the GHS. The 6-month RPM service for 84 clients cost AUD $67,841 to cover RPM equipment, ongoing technology costs, and a dedicated Virtual Care Manager, equating to $808 per client. There were 199 additional client-clinician interactions in the period after enrolment resulting in an additional $4797 revenue for the GHS. Therefore, the program cost the GHS $63,044 to deliver, representing a return on investment of around 7 cents for every dollar they spent. Whilst the diabetes RPM service was equally effective as usual care and resulted in increased interactions with clients, the cost for the service was substantially more than the additional revenue generated from increased interactions. This evidence highlights the need for alternative funding models for RPM services and demonstrates the need to focus future research on long-term clinical effects and the extra-clinical benefits resulting from services of this type.

Does the requirement for an interpreter impact experience with telehealth modalities, acceptability and trust in telehealth? Results from a national survey including people requiring interpreter services.

We aimed to assess if experience with telehealth modalities, acceptability and levels of trust in telehealth vary with the need for an interpreter using a cross-sectional survey of telehealth consumers in Australia. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the means and percentages between those who required an interpreter and those who did not. A total of N = 1,116 completed the survey; 5% (n = 56) represented people needing an interpreter for telehealth services. Of those needing interpreters, 14.29% had experienced only phone consultations whereas 63.21% of those who did not need interpreters had experienced only phone consultations. Trust in telehealth with allied health professionals was significantly higher among people needing interpreters (mean 4.12 ± 1.02) than those with no interpreter required (mean 3.70 ± 1.30), p = 0.03. People requiring interpreters had non-significantly higher acceptability towards video consultation than those who did not (mean 3.60 ± 0.61 vs mean 3.51 ± 0.80, p = 0.42), similar to telephone consultations (mean 3.71 ± 0.95 vs mean 3.48 ± 0.79, p = 0.38). The need for interpreters does not appear to impact acceptability or trust in telehealth with doctors. However, experience with telehealth modalities and trust in telehealth with allied health varied significantly among groups. Increasing exposure to telehealth modalities, trust and acceptability is crucial to promote equitable access to telehealth.

Development and validation of the Digital Health Acceptability Questionnaire.

Acceptability (of healthcare services) is an important construct that lacks a consistent definition within research. Addressing this issue, a systematic review led to the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. In this study, we describe the development (based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability) and validation of the Digital Health Acceptability Questionnaire. Nineteen items aligning with the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability were developed. Two versions of the questionnaire measuring telehealth acceptability by telephone (N = 644) and videoconference appointment (N = 425), were administered to a nationally representative survey of consumers in Australia. Two exploratory factor analyses (Oblimin rotation) were conducted for each scale (telephone/videoconference). Two-factor solutions (5 items each) were found for both (telephone/videoconference) acceptability questionnaires: (a) attitude toward the service as a means to address healthcare needs and affective attitude and (b) individual capacity and effort to use telehealth. Before rotation, Factor 1 of the telephone scale (α = 0.92) measured 56.18% of the variance and Factor 2 (α = 0.86) measured 14.17%. Factor 1 of the videoconference scale (α = 0.90) measured 56.68% of the variance and Factor 2 (α = 0.85) measured 10.63%. The full10-item acceptability questionnaire showed excellent internal consistency (telephone: α = 0.91 and videoconference: α = 0.92). The 2-dimensional Digital Health Acceptability Questionnaire is a brief survey based on research evidence and validated in a large Australian sample.

A cross-sectional study exploring equity of access to telehealth in culturally and linguistically diverse communities in a major health service.

Objectives The utilisation of telehealth among culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia remains unexplored. We aimed to describe telehealth (telephone and videoconference) utilisation within a major health service and identify sociodemographic factors that may contribute to limited telehealth access. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using service activity data from four metropolitan hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Outpatient department data (January to December 2021) were examined. These data included patients (N = 153 427) of all ages who had an outpatient appointment within 10 speciality services (i.e. Hepatology, Gastroenterology, Immunology and Psychology) that were the most frequent videoconference users. This study measured telehealth utilisation across the four tertiary hospitals and its association with sociodemographic factors. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used. Multivariate regression models were adjusted by sex, socioeconomic level and language use. Results Overall, 39% of appointments were delivered through telehealth, with 65% of all reported telehealth services involving a telephone consultation. People who required interpreter services were 66% less likely to use telehealth services (OR adjusted 0.33, 95% CI 0.31-0.36, P P Conclusion There is a gap in Australian telehealth service use for people with culturally diverse backgrounds and limited English proficiency. This study highlights a critical need to determine how people from culturally diverse backgrounds would like to engage with digital care options such as telehealth and the necessary support to enable this.

Cost-effectiveness of telehealth-delivered nutrition interventions: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: Telehealth-delivered nutrition interventions are effective in practice; however, limited evidence exists regarding their cost-effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of telehealth-delivered nutrition interventions for improving health outcomes in adults with chronic disease. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Embase databases were systematically searched from database inception to November 2021. Included studies were randomized controlled trials delivering a telehealth-delivered diet intervention conducted with adults with a chronic disease and that reported on cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analysis outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: All studies were independently screened and extracted, and quality was appraised using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. DATA ANALYSIS: All extracted data were grouped into subcategories according to their telehealth modality and payer perspective, and were analyzed narratively. RESULTS: Twelve randomized controlled trials comprising 5 phone-only interventions, 3 mobile health (mHealth), 2 online, and 1 each using a combination of phone-online or phone-mHealth interventions, were included in this review. mHealth interventions were the most cost-effective intervention in all studies. Across all telehealth interventions and cost analyses from health service perspectives, 60% of studies were cost-effective. From a societal perspective, however, 33% of studies reported that the interventions were cost-effective. Of the 10 studies using cost-utility analyses, 3 were cost saving and more effective, making the intervention dominant, 1 study reported no difference in costs or effectiveness, and the remaining 6 studies reported increased cost and effectiveness, meaning payers must decide whether this falls within an acceptable willingness-to-pay threshold for them. Quality of study reporting varied with between 63% to 92%, with an average of 77% of CHEERS items reported. CONCLUSION: Telehealth-delivered nutrition interventions in chronic disease populations appear to be cost-effective from a health perspective, and particularly mHealth modalities. These findings support telehealth-delivered nutrition care as a clinically beneficial, cost-effective intervention delivery modality.

Artificial intelligence: Augmenting telehealth with large language models.

This brief editorial describes an emerging area of machine learning technology called large language models (LLMs). LLMs, such as ChatGPT, are the technological disruptor of this decade. They are going to be integrated into search engines (Bing and Google) and into Microsoft products in the coming months. They will therefore fundamentally change the way patients and clinicians access and receive information. It is essential that telehealth clinicians are aware of LLMs and appreciate their capabilities and limitations.

How do consumers prefer their care delivered: In-person, telephone or videoconference?

AIM: To gain a better understanding of consumer experiences with and preferences for telephone and videoconference consultations (telehealth), and how these compare to traditional in-person consultations. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey was administered to a representative sample of Australian adults who have received a telehealth service within the last year. Consumers were recruited by Qualtrics® through their online sampling service. The sample was representative of the broader Australian population according to gender, age, location (state/territory), and place of residence (urban or remote). Information on demographics (e.g., age, gender, employment status), recent telehealth experience, and preferences for consultation modality was collected. To measure preferences consumers were asked to indicate which modality they would prefer (in-person, telephone, or videoconference) for different scenarios. These included consultations of various time lengths, and for the top ten conditions for which individuals sought a general practitioner. RESULTS: A total of 1069 consumers completed the survey. When consumers were asked to describe their most recent telehealth appointment, most were for follow-up appointments (67%) and completed by telephone (77%) rather than by videoconference, and with a general practitioner (75%). In-person consultations at a clinic were the top preference in all clinical scenarios presented, except when needing a prescription or to receive test results. In these cases, a telephone consultation was the preferred modality. Inexperience with videoconference and duration of consultation influenced preference for consultation mode. Consumers preferred to have short consultations of around five minutes done by telehealth (telephone or videoconference), while they preferred in-person for longer consultations (up to 60 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Many Australians have used telehealth in the past year to access healthcare, with telephone being the most common form of communication. Given the option and the experience to date, consumers prefer telephone when consultations related to either prescriptions or test results. Experience with videoconference for consultations increased consumer preferences for using it for future consultations.

Medicare reimbursed telehealth exercise physiology services were underutilised through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: an ecological study.

Objectives To describe the quantity and cost of in-person and telehealth exercise physiology (EP) reimbursed under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) in Australia before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods This study uses publicly available MBS data to describe EP services (in-person and telehealth) reimbursed by Medicare between January 2020 and December 2021. Data were extracted at state and national levels. Results Despite a reduction in quantity and cost in quartile (Q) 2 2020 (41% reduction), MBS-reimbursed EP services have remained relatively constant at a national level through the 2-year observation period. Service claims averaged 88 555 per quarter in 2020 and 95 015 in 2021. The proportion of telehealth consultations relative to total quarterly claims for EP was <1% in Q1 2020, 6.0% in Q2 2020, 2.4% in Q3 2020 and 1.7% in Q4 2020. This dropped to an average of 1.4% across 2021 (Q1-Q4). States undergoing lockdown periods reported decreased service rates relative to February 2020 (i.e. pre-lockdown). EP services were associated with a Medicare expenditure of AUD17.9M in 2020 (telehealth = 2.4% of total) and AUD19.7M (telehealth = 1.5% of total) in 2021. Conclusions Quantity and cost of MBS-reimbursed EP services remained relatively constant throughout the height of service disruption due to COVID-19 (2020/21). Telehealth uptake during this time has been minimal for EP.

Health literacy, dementia knowledge and perceived utility of digital health modalities among future health professionals.

OBJECTIVES: Studies of dementia knowledge (including dementia risk reduction) in health-care trainees highlight varying levels of understanding across countries and disciplines. This draws attention to the need for a well-trained health workforce with the knowledge to champion and implement such strategies. This study (a) assessed dementia knowledge and health literacy among a sample of Australian health-care students, (b) identified modality preferences of digital health interventions addressing dementia prevention and (c) examined potential relationships among health literacy, dementia knowledge, dementia prevention knowledge and a student's preferences for different digital health modalities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey assessed dementia knowledge and health literacy in 727 health students across 16 Australian universities representing both metropolitan and regional cohorts. The All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale were administered. Questions about the perceived effectiveness of strategies and preferred digital health modalities for dementia prevention/risk reduction were asked. RESULTS: The students had relatively high health literacy scores. However, dementia knowledge and evidence-based dementia prevention knowledge were average. Only 7% claimed knowledge of available dementia-related digital health interventions. Associations among health literacy, dementia knowledge and dementia prevention, with recommendations for different digital modalities, are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Health-related degrees need to increase dementia knowledge, health literacy and knowledge of effective dementia-related digital health interventions. It is imperative to equip the future health workforce amid an ageing population with increased dementia rates and where evidence-based digital health interventions will increasingly be a source of support.

Pharmacists reducing medication risk in medical outpatient clinics: a retrospective study of 18 clinics.

BACKGROUND: The role of pharmacists in hospital inpatient settings is well recognised; however, pharmacists are relatively new to outpatient clinic settings in Australia. Evidence to justify the clinical effectiveness of pharmacists, in terms of identifying and resolving medication-related problems in an outpatient setting in Australia is limited. AIMS: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of outpatient clinic pharmacists across multiple medical disciplines. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted by auditing medical records for patients who had an outpatient clinic pharmacist consult between June 2019 and February 2020 in a large quaternary hospital. All pharmacist recommendations targeting a medication-related problem were audited. Recommendations were considered 'resolved' if accepted and actioned by the patient and/or a clinician. The resolved recommendations were risk rated using a validated tool for medication-related patient harm. RESULTS: There were 18 clinic pharmacist roles across multiple medical disciplines, of which 46 pharmacists conducted outpatient consults. A total of 7599 consults was conducted and a purposeful random sample of 572 (8%) consults was audited for 552 unique patients. There were 399 recommendations recorded in the notes by clinic pharmacists, a mean (standard deviation) of 0.95 (0.97) per patient. Of these, 328 (82%) were resolved; 269 (82%) were classified as low or moderate risk and 59 (18%) were classified as high-risk recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Clinic pharmacists in multidisciplinary outpatient clinics are effective at identifying and resolving medication-related problems. Our research demonstrated that 18% of these resolved recommendations prevented a high-risk medication-related harm event.

An overview of the effect of telehealth on mortality: A systematic review of meta-analyses.

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth is recognised as a viable way of providing health care over distance, and an effective way to increase access for individuals with transport difficulties or those living in rural and remote areas. While telehealth has many positives for patients, clinicians and the health system, it is important that changes in the delivery of health care (e.g. in-person to telehealth) do not result in inferior or unsafe care. In this review, we collate existing meta-analyses of mortality rates to provide a holistic view of the current evidence regarding telehealth safety. METHODS: In November 2020, a search of Pretty Darn Quick Evidence portal was conducted in order to locate systematic reviews published between 2010 and 2019, examining and meta-analysing the effect of telehealth interventions on mortality compared to usual care. RESULTS: This review summarises evidence from 24 meta-analyses. Five overarching medical disciplines were represented (cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonary, obstetrics and intensive care). Overall, telehealth did not increase mortality rates. DISCUSSION: The evidence from this review can be used by decision makers, in conjunction with other disease-specific and health economic evidences, to support and guide telehealth implementation plans.