Physicians' satisfaction with the use of teleconsultation in France

Background: Physicians are showing a growing interest in teleconsultation, particularly since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Surveying physicians' satisfaction with telehealth helps identify areas of strength and weaknesses that need improvement to support the promotion of telemedicine in the future. This study aimed to evaluate physician satisfaction rates and perspectives on teleconsultation. Methods: A 20-item online survey on teleconsultation use, including benefits, disadvantages, and suggested optimal modalities, was distributed and collected anonymously among physicians working at a university hospital. Results: Out of 145 physicians who responded, 73.8% were satisfied with teleconsultation, and 79.3% considered that this service will persist in the future. The main disadvantages raised by the physicians were the use of the telephone for remote consultation, the risk of dehumanization of the doctor-patient relationship, and the belief of a greater risk of medical errors than in a face-to-face setting. Of the doctors who responded to our survey, 54% said that the time needed for a teleconsultation should be similar to that of a face-to-face consultation, i.e., 15 to 20 minutes. Conclusions: Most physicians were satisfied with teleconsultation. However, improvements in digital tools such as usability and efficiency are necessary for teleconsultation development in the future. Alongside these technological imperatives, the fear of an increase in medical errors and dehumanization of the doctor-patient relationship are issues that must be closely considered to promote telemedicine in medical practice. © 2023 Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy.

Bilateral anterior uveitis following paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 - Case report and focused review.

Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) is a systemic hyperinflammatory state described in children recently infected with SARS-CoV-2. Ophthalmologically, non-purulent conjunctival injection is the most common symptom, but cases of uveitis have been described. Here, we present a case of bilateral granulomatous anterior uveitis in a 10-year-old boy, 12 days after diagnosis of PIMS-TS. Symptoms resolved after a week of topical treatment and there was no relapse after six months. We carried out a focus review on uveitis in children with PIMS-TS and found eight studies. All in all, 21 children were reported with a median age of 11.5 years. Most of them had bilateral anterior inflammation, without synechiae nor hypertonia, which lasted five to seven days and responded well to the use of corticoids. This symptom is a potential predictor of a more severe disease and this link should be further explored.

Impact on refractive surgery due to increasing use of personal protection equipment: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group.

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on 11th March 2020, changes to social and sanitary practices have included significant issues in access and management of eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the fear of loss, coupled with social distancing, lockdown, economic instability, and uncertainty, have led to a significant psychosocial impact that will have to be addressed. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment such as face masks or face coverings have become a daily necessity. While "mass masking" along with hand hygiene and social distancing became more widespread, new issues began to emerge - particularly in those who wore spectacles as a means of vision correction. As we began to see routine patients again after the first lockdown had been lifted, many patients visited our clinics for refractive surgery consultations with a primary motivating factor of wanting spectacle independence due to the fogging of their spectacles as a result of wearing a mask. In this article, we report on new emerging issues in eye care due to the widespread use of masks and on the new unmet need in the corneal and cataract refractive surgery fields.

Rethinking Elective Cataract Surgery Diagnostics, Assessments, and Tools after the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience and Beyond: Insights from the EUROCOVCAT Group.

The progressive deterioration of the visual function in patients on waiting lists for cataract surgery has a negative impact on their quality of life, especially in the elderly population. Patient waiting times for cataract surgeries in many healthcare settings have increased recently due to the prolonged stop or slowdown of elective cataract surgery as a result of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this review is to highlight the impact of such a "de-prioritization" of cataract surgery and to summarize some critical issues and useful hints on how to reorganize cataract pathways, with a special focus on perioperative diagnostic tools during the recovery phase and beyond. The experiences of a group of surgeons originating from nine different countries, named the European COVID-19 Cataract Group (EUROCOVCAT), have been combined with the literature and recommendations from scientific ophthalmic societies and healthcare institutions. Key considerations for elective cataract surgery should include the reduction of the number of unnecessary visits and examinations, adoption of precautionary measures, and implementation of telemedicine instruments. New strategies should be adopted to provide an adequate level of assistance and to guarantee safety conditions. Flexibility will be the watchword and regular updates would be necessary following scientific insights and the development of the pandemic.