Access to Dermatological Care with an Innovative Online Model for Psoriasis Management: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Telemed J E Health
; 25(7): 619-627, 2019 07.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30222518
ABSTRACT
Background:
Many patients with chronic skin diseases lack regular access to dermatologists in the United States and suffer poor clinical outcomes.Introduction:
We performed a 12-month randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of an online, collaborative connected health (CCH) model for psoriasis management on access to specialty care.Materials andMethods:
The 300 enrolled patients were randomized to online or in-person care. We compared distance traveled as well as transportation and in-office waiting time between the two groups and obtained patient and provider perspectives on CCH.Results:
At baseline, no differences existed between the groups in difficulties obtaining specialty care. Over 12 months, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) distance traveled to and from appointments was 174.8 (±577.4) km/person for the in-person group and 2.2 (±14.2) km/person for the online group (p = 0.0003). The mean (SD) time spent on transportation and in-office waiting for in-person appointments was 4.0 (±4.5) h/person for the in-person group and 0.1 (±0.4) h/person for the online group (p = 0.0001). Patients found CCH to be safe, accessible, equitable, efficient, effective, and patient-centered. Providers found CCH to be useful for providing psoriasis care.Discussion:
The CCH model resulted in significantly less distance traveled as well as transportation and in-office waiting time compared to in-person care. Both patients and providers were highly satisfied with CCH.Conclusions:
The CCH model resulted in increased access to specialty care and enabled patient-centered, safe, and effective management of psoriasis patients.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Psoriasis
/
Telemedicine
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Year:
2019
Type:
Article