Resource Document on Best Practices in Synchronous Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health.

Background: This document represents an updated collaboration between the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) to create a consolidated update of the previous APA and ATA official documents and resources in telemental health, to provide a single guide on clinical best practices for providing mental health services through synchronous videoconference. Methods: A joint writing committee drawn from the APA Committee on Telepsychiatry and the ATA TMH Special Interest Group (TMH SIG). was convened to draft and finalize the guidelines. This document draws directly from the 2018 APA/ATA guide and the ATA s previous guidelines, selecting from key statements/guidelines, consolidating them across documents, and then updating them where indicated. Guideline approval was provided following internal review by the APA, the ATA, the Board of Directors of the ATA, and the Joint Reference Committee of the APA. Results: The guidelines contain requirements, recommendations, and actions that are identified by text containing the keywords "shall," "should," or "may." Conclusions: Compliance with these recommendations will not guarantee accurate diagnoses or successful outcomes. The purpose of this guide is to assist providers in providing effective and safe medical care founded on expert consensus, research evidence, available resources, and patient needs.

Mandating Limits on Workload, Duty, and Speed in Radiology.

Research has not yet quantified the effects of workload or duty hours on the accuracy of radiologists. With the exception of a brief reduction in imaging studies during the 2020 peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the workload of radiologists in the United States has seen relentless growth in recent years. One concern is that this increased demand could lead to reduced accuracy. Behavioral studies in species ranging from insects to humans have shown that decision speed is inversely correlated to decision accuracy. A potential solution is to institute workload and duty limits to optimize radiologist performance and patient safety. The concern, however, is that any prescribed mandated limits would be arbitrary and thus no more advantageous than allowing radiologists to self-regulate. Specific studies have been proposed to determine whether limits reduce error, and if so, to provide a principled basis for such limits. This could determine the precise susceptibility of individual radiologists to medical error as a function of speed during image viewing, the maximum number of studies that could be read during a work shift, and the appropriate shift duration as a function of time of day. Before principled recommendations for restrictions are made, however, it is important to understand how radiologists function both optimally and at the margins of adequate performance. This study examines the relationship between interpretation speed and error rates in radiology, the potential influence of artificial intelligence on reading speed and error rates, and the possible outcomes of imposed limits on both caseload and duty hours. This review concludes that the scientific evidence needed to make meaningful rules is lacking and notes that regulating workloads without scientific principles can be more harmful than not regulating at all.

Findings and Guidelines on Provider Technology, Fatigue, and Well-being: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Video and other technologies are reshaping the delivery of health care, yet barriers related to workflow and possible provider fatigue suggest that a thorough evaluation is needed for quality and process improvement. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review explored the relationship among technology, fatigue, and health care to improve the conditions for providers. METHODS: A 6-stage scoping review of literature (from 10 databases) published from 2000 to 2020 that focused on technology, health care, and fatigue was conducted. Technologies included synchronous video, telephone, informatics systems, asynchronous wearable sensors, and mobile health devices for health care in 4 concept areas related to provider experience: behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and physical impact; workplace at the individual, clinic, hospital, and system or organizational levels; well-being, burnout, and stress; and perceptions regarding technology. Qualitative content, discourse, and framework analyses were used to thematically analyze data for developing a spectrum of health to risk of fatigue to manifestations of burnout. RESULTS: Of the 4221 potential literature references, 202 (4.79%) were duplicates, and our review of the titles and abstracts of 4019 (95.21%) found that 3837 (90.9%) were irrelevant. A full-text review of 182 studies revealed that 12 (6.6%) studies met all the criteria related to technology, health care, and fatigue, and these studied the behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical impact of workflow at the individual, hospital, and system or organizational levels. Video and electronic health record use has been associated with physical eye fatigue; neck pain; stress; tiredness; and behavioral impacts related to additional effort owing to barriers, trouble with engagement, emotional wear and tear and exhaustion, cognitive inattention, effort, expecting problems, multitasking and workload, and emotional experiences (eg, anger, irritability, stress, and concern about well-being). An additional 14 studies that evaluated behavioral, emotional, and cognitive impacts without focusing on fatigue found high user ratings on data quality, accuracy, and processing but low satisfaction with clerical tasks, the effort required in work, and interruptions costing time, resulting in more errors, stress, and frustration. Our qualitative analysis suggests a spectrum from health to risk and provides an outline of organizational approaches to human factors and technology in health care. Business, occupational health, human factors, and well-being literature have not studied technology fatigue and burnout; however, their findings help contextualize technology-based fatigue to suggest guidelines. Few studies were found to contextually evaluate differences according to health professions and practice contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Health care systems need to evaluate the impact of technology in accordance with the Quadruple Aim to support providers' well-being and prevent workload burden, fatigue, and burnout. Implementation and effectiveness approaches and a multilevel approach with objective measures for clinical, human factors, training, professional development, and administrative workflow are suggested. This requires institutional strategies and competencies to integrate health care quality, technology and well-being outcomes.

Telemedicine, Precision Medicine, and Regionalization.

The COVID-19 global pandemic dramatically spurred the implementation and use of telemedicine, but also highlighted some significant disparities and gaps in our health care systems. These include limited access to care among segments of the population, uneven distribution of quality by geographic location and socioeconomic status, unabated cost inflation, rampant inefficiency, and substantial incidence of medical errors, inappropriate or ineffective care. It is time we think about optimal systems of care to meet the challenges of the future.

Trends in Adoption and Maturation of Telehealth Programs at Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems.

Introduction: Although early adopters of telehealth have built and sustained telehealth programs over long periods, little research has been conducted differentiating the characteristics of health systems at different stages of maturation. Methods: This study surveyed 165 major teaching hospitals and health systems from fiscal year 2015 through 2018 about the stage and characteristics of their telehealth services. Respondents reported (i) the progression level of their telehealth program, (ii) which of six services they provide, and (iii) greatest barriers and motivators to implementing telehealth, as well as their overall operational and financial characteristics. Results: Telehealth programs at teaching hospitals progressed steadily and adoption of a wide range of telehealth delivery modes expanded. Hospital operational and financial characteristics corresponding to both higher maturation and the adoption of more delivery modes were identified. Reported barriers and motivations were similar across maturation levels. Discussion: With telehealth's broader use and the heterogeneity of delivery modes being utilized, a binary metric of whether or not to implement telehealth does not sufficiently capture key differences in telehealth programs or differentiate implementation scope and scale across health systems. Conclusions: The findings suggest that programs at different levels of maturation are characteristically different from one another. Identifying factors related to mature telehealth programs may help guide policymakers, future telehealth program leaders, and other stakeholders in identifying barriers to continued investment in telehealth.

Patient-reported financial toxicity in multiple sclerosis: Predictors and association with care non-adherence.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) results in considerable financial burdens due to expensive treatment and high rates of disability, which could both impact care non-adherence. OBJECTIVE: To measure financial toxicity in MS patients, identify its predictors and association with care non-adherence. METHODS: Adult MS patients visiting neurology clinic (June 2018 to February 2019) were consented to complete a survey. Financial toxicity was measured using Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) (range: 0-44, the lower the score, the worse the financial toxicity). Independent predictors of financial toxicity were identified using linear regression. Associations of COST score with patient outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: The mean COST score in 243 recruited patients was 17.4 ± 10.2. In response to financial burdens, 66.7% and 34.7% reported life-style altering behaviors or care non-adherence, respectively. Higher financial self-efficacy was associated with less financial toxicity (coefficient, 1.33 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.64); p < 0.001). At least one relapse in the last 3 months was associated with greater financial toxicity (coefficient, -3.34 (95% CI, -6.66 to -0.01); p = 0.049). Greater financial toxicity correlated with life-style-altering coping strategy use (p < 0.001), care non-adherence (p = 0.001), and worse health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: MS patients with lower financial self-efficacy and prior relapse history are at higher risk for financial toxicity, with associated care non-adherence and lower HRQOL.

A Blueprint for the Conduct of Large, Multisite Trials in Telemedicine.

Recent literature supports the efficacy and efficiency of telemedicine in improving various health outcomes despite the wide variability in results. Understanding site-specific issues in the implementation of telemedicine trials for broader replication and generalizability of results is needed. Lessons can be learned from existing trials, and a blueprint can guide researchers to conduct these challenging studies using telemedicine more efficiently and effectively. This viewpoint presents relevant challenges and solutions for conducting multisite telemedicine trials using 7 ongoing and completed studies funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute portfolio of large multisite trials to highlight the challenges in implementing telemedicine trials. Critical issues of ensuring leadership and buy-in, appropriate funding, and diverse and representative trials are identified and described, as well as challenges related to clinical, informatics, regulatory, legal, quality, and billing. The lessons learned from these studies were used to create a blueprint of key aspects to consider for the design and implementation of multisite telemedicine trials.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Radiology Research Enterprise: Radiology Scientific Expert Panel.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis continues to grow and has resulted in marked changes to clinical operations. In parallel with clinical preparedness, universities have shut down most scientific research activities. Radiology researchers are currently grappling with these challenges that will continue to affect current and future imaging research. The purpose of this article is to describe the collective experiences of a diverse international group of academic radiology research programs in managing their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The acute response at six distinct institutions will be described first, exploring common themes, challenges, priorities, and practices. This will be followed by reflections about the future of radiology research in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SIIM Announces New Awards!

The Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) has created six new awards to be inaugurated at the 2020 Annual Meeting. These include the Gold Medal of the Society, The Joe Gitlin Award, the Dr. Ruth Dayhoff Award for the Advancement of Women in Medical Imaging Informatics, the Imaging Informatics Innovator Award, the Early Career Achievement Award, and the Educator Award. The award criteria, nomination, and selection processes are outlined in this paper with the goal of encouraging nominations (including self-nominations) for these prestigious awards recognizing contributions to imaging informatics in medicine.

Radiology, Mobile Devices, and Internet of Things (IoT).

Radiology by its nature is intricately connected to the Internet and is at the forefront of technology in medicine. The past few years have seen a dramatic rise in Internet-based technology in healthcare, with imaging as a core application. Numerous Internet-based applications and technologies have made forays into medicine, and for radiology it is more seamless than in other clinical specialties. Many applications in the practice of radiology are Internet based and more applications are being added every day. Introduction of mobile devices and their integration into imaging workflow has reinforced the role played by the Internet in radiology. Due to the rapid proliferation of wearable devices and smartphones, IoT-enabled technology is evolving healthcare from conventional hub-based systems to more personalized healthcare systems. This article briefly discusses how the IoT plays a useful role in daily imaging workflow and current and potential future applications, how mobile devices can be integrated into radiology workflows, and the impact of the IoT on resident and medical student education, research, and patient engagement in radiology.

Changes in Perception of Various Telehealth Topics Before and After a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Telehealth Research Dissemination Conference.

Background: The Telehealth Dissemination Forum brought together a cross section of telehealth providers and constituents to review the latest telehealth research funded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and to ascertain whether there were known gaps in the research. Methods: A pre- and postsurvey was conducted before and after the general overview of the market and research presentations. Using elements of human-centered design, participants were exposed to alternative problem solving and program design methods with the goal of translating the research into practice. Participants were stratified into four groups each with a moderator. Designers instructed the group throughout the design session. Results: A debrief was conducted at the end of the day to determine the value of the session as written evaluations were often not completed or less constructive. Postmeeting surveys were analyzed. Conclusions: We determined that the dissemination was effective; knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs changed based on how this information was presented. The forum had an impact on participants as they left with design tools to assist with complex problem solving.

Rapid Systemwide Implementation of Outpatient Telehealth in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The COVID-19 pandemic, with its resultant social distancing, has disrupted the delivery of healthcare for both patients and providers. Fortunately, changes to legislation and regulation in response to the pandemic allowed Emory Healthcare to rapidly implement telehealth care. Beginning in early March 2020 and continuing through the initial 2-month implementation period (when data collection stopped), clinicians received telehealth training and certification. Standard workflows created by means of a hub-and-spoke operational model enabled rapid sharing and deployment of best practices throughout the system's physician group practice. Lean process huddles facilitated successful implementation. In total, 2,374 healthcare professionals, including 986 attending physicians, 416 residents and fellows, and 555 advanced practice providers, were trained and certified for telehealth; 53,751 new- and established-patient audio-video telehealth visits and 10,539 established-patient telephone visits were performed in 8 weeks for a total of 64,290 virtual visits. This initiative included a new COVID-19 virtual patient clinic that saw 705 patients in a 6-week period. A total of $14,662,967 was charged during this time; collection rates were similar to in-person visits. Initial patient satisfaction scores were equivalent to in-person visits. We conclude that rapid deployment of virtual visits can be accomplished through a structured, organized approach including training, certification, and Lean principles. A hub-and-spoke model enables bidirectional feedback and timely improvements, thus facilitating swifter implementation and a quick rise in patient volume. Financial sustainability is achievable, but to sustain that, telehealth requires the support of continued deregulation by legislative and regulatory bodies.

Interpreting Radiographs with Concurrently Obtained Patient Photographs.

A technology for automatically obtaining patient photographs along with portable radiographs was implemented clinically at a large academic hospital. This article highlights several cases in which image-related clinical context, provided by the patient photographs, provided quality control information regarding patient identification, laterality, or position and assisted the radiologist with the interpretation. The information in the photographs can easily minimize unnecessary calls to the patient's nursing staff for clarifications and can lead to new methods of physically assessing patients. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Impact of Patient Photos on Detection Accuracy, Decision Confidence and Eye-Tracking Parameters in Chest and Abdomen Images with Tubes and Lines.

To minimize errors in imaging studies, a camera system was developed that acquires images of patients simultaneously with radiographic images. Thirty-seven chest/abdomen portable radiographs showing central lines, orogastric/nasogastric/endotracheal tubes with patient photographs were viewed by six radiologists while eye-position was recorded. They indicated whether each line/tube was present/absent and rated confidence. Images were shown in three conditions: radiograph only, small, or large photograph with radiograph. There was greater accuracy in detecting tubes with photographs present and decision confidence was generally higher with the photographs. For the eye-tracking parameters, total viewing time, number of fixations, and number of times observers transferred viewing from radiograph to photograph differed as function of whether a photograph was present or absent as well as photograph size. Adding patient photographs to radiographic interpretation of chest and abdomen films can aid in the detection of tubes/lines. If photograph size is large enough, it takes an average of only 3 extra seconds to view compared to the radiograph alone and adds significant confidence to decisions.

The Third National Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase Conference: Advancing Telehealth Partnerships.

INTRODUCTION: As telemedicine and telehealth services are experiencing increasing rates of adoption, industry leaders and healthcare service providers are becoming increasingly focused on human resource issues encountered in the delivery of a broad range of telehealth services. To create a forum for the discussion of many interrelated elements of telehealth service industry, a national conference entitled "Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase" (SPS) Conference was established in 2014, and repeated in 2016 and 2017, in Arizona. These SPS Conferences include thought leaders, telehealth service providers, government administrators, and academicians from leading programs addressing service provider workforce issues. METHODS: This report summarizes the content of SPS 2017 conference, held in Phoenix, AZ, October 2-3, 2017. The topics covered at SPS 2017 include using telehealth services as a strategic asset; development of appropriate effective partnerships; direct-to-consumer initiatives; important reimbursement, legislative, and regulatory issues (i.e., Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS] approaches, financial models, and return on investment [ROI]); marketing; evaluation and applied metrics; remote monitoring and sensors; integration with electronic health records; and overall lessons learned. RESULTS: The content of SPS 2017 is summarized in the body of this report. The SPS 2017 program evaluators included attendees, speakers, and exhibitors. The knowledge attendees gained at SPS 2017 was characterized, by all three groups, as forward-looking and practical. CONCLUSION: SPS 2017 succeeded in identifying, and focusing on, solutions for issues, challenges, and barriers impacting the rapidly expanding telehealth service segment of the healthcare industry. The growing interest in this annual SPS Conference series apparently reflects, in part, the program committee's successes in identifying practical issues and their potential solutions.

Effect of Shift, Schedule, and Volume on Interpretive Accuracy: A Retrospective Analysis of 2.9 Million Radiologic Examinations.

Purpose To determine whether there is an association between radiologist shift length, schedule, or examination volume and interpretive accuracy. Materials and Methods This study was institutional review board approved and HIPAA compliant. A retrospective analysis of all major discrepancies from a 2015 quality assurance database of a teleradiology practice was performed. Board-certified radiologists provided initial preliminary interpretations. Discrepancies were identified during a secondary review by a practicing radiologist or through an internal quality assurance process and were vetted through a consensus radiology quality assurance committee. Unique anonymous radiologist identifiers were used to link the discrepancies to radiologists' shifts and schedules. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance, t test, or χ2 test. Results A total of 4294 major discrepancies resulted from 2 922 377 examinations (0.15%). There was a significant difference for shift length (P < .0001) and volume (P < .0001) for shifts with versus those without discrepancies. On average, errors occurred a mean (± standard deviation) of 8.97 hours ± 2.28 into the shift (median, 10 hours; interquartile range, 2.0 hours). Significantly more errors occurred late in shifts than early (P < .0001), peaking between 10 and 12 hours. The number of major discrepancies in a single shift ranged from one to four, with a significant difference in the number of discrepancies as a function of study volume (volume for all shifts, 67.60 ± 60.24; volume for shifts with major discrepancies, 118.96 ± 66.89; P < .001). Despite a trend for more discrepancies after more consecutive days worked, the difference was not significant (P = .0893). Conclusion Longer shifts and higher diagnostic examination volumes are associated with increased major interpretive discrepancies. These are more likely to occur later in a shift, peaking after the 10th hour of work. © RSNA, 2017.

Structured Protocol for Benign Biliary Anastomotic Strictures: Impact on Long-Term Clinical Effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare long-term clinical effectiveness before and after implementation of a structured protocol for percutaneous drainage of benign anastomotic biliary strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred five adult patients undergoing percutaneous biliary drainage for biliary anastomotic strictures between 1994 and 2015 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology billing codes, with 234 undergoing intervention before implementation of a structured protocol and 71 undergoing intervention after implementation of the protocol. The frequency of surgical anastomotic revision was compared between patients treated before and after the implementation of the structured protocol. Patient characteristics and treatment variables were also analyzed with respect to the frequency of surgical revision. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine the long-term probabilities of avoiding surgical revision and patency rates. RESULTS: Overall, 72.8% of patients avoided surgical revision, with 71.1% before and 81.7% after the protocol was implemented (p = 0.1052). A larger maximum drain size was significantly associated with a lower frequency of surgical revision (p = 0.0006). The rates of surgical avoidance 5 years after treatment before and after protocol implementation were 69.1% and 80.8%, respectively. Patency rates 5 years after treatment before and after protocol implementation were 73.8% and 76.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage and management of benign biliary anastomotic strictures is an effective treatment regardless of the presence of a structured protocol. Although there was no significant benefit in terms of avoidance of surgical revision, the time until surgical revision and patency rates were increased with the protocol. In addition, a larger maximum drain size was associated with a better outcome.

A Systematic Review of Fatigue in Radiology: Is It a Problem?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review current literature regarding radiologist fatigue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed. Key words and Medical Subject Heading terms were used to generate refined queries with inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on fatigue and error. Results were selected according to these criteria: examined radiologist fatigue and radiologic error stemming from fatigue; experimental results measured as accuracy, error, or performance; and peer-reviewed publication. The risk of bias was addressed by including both quantitative and qualitative studies. RESULTS: Twenty-seven articles were included, mainly primary research articles. Common outcome measures included subjective self-reports and tests to measure eyestrain. Reaction time was also recorded, accounting for variables such as age and experience. One group recommended that guidelines should be implemented regarding number of hours worked. Most recommended ergonomic interventions, proposing the implementation of tools to measure and standardize fatigue and optimize workflow, in conjunction with considering radiologists individually. Education in appropriate viewing habits and breaks were also suggested. Only one study with seven participants recommended that radiologists should sleep well to improve their performance and overall well-being, despite the undeniable evidence that radiologists are fatigued. CONCLUSION: Fatigue is present in radiology and affects diagnostic accuracy.

Health Care Price Transparency and Communication: Implications for Radiologists and Patients in an Era of Expanding Shared Decision Making.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the literature on communicating transparency in health care pricing, both overall and specifically for medical imaging. Focus is also placed on the imperatives and initiatives that will increasingly impact radiologists and their patients. CONCLUSION: Most Americans seek transparency in health care pricing, yet such discussions occur in fewer than half of patient encounters. Although price transparency tools can help decrease health care spending, most are used infrequently and most lack information about quality. Given the high costs associated with many imaging services, radiologists should be aware of such initiatives to optimize patient engagement and informed shared decision making.

Systemic Error in Radiology.

OBJECTIVE: Interpretive errors in diagnostic imaging result in significant patient morbidity and mortality, but the importance of errors and process failures in the imaging cycle other than during image interpretation is underappreciated. In this article, we describe these errors and potential solutions, providing a framework to improve patient safety and understand the changing roles of radiologists beyond image interpretation. CONCLUSION: For comprehensive improvements to health care delivery, other failures in the cycle besides diagnostic interpretive error-such as ordering inappropriate studies, PACS failures, and a lack of accurate clinician contact information (with resultant communication failure)-should be recognized as contributors to patient harm because they lead to wasted resources and delayed care. By taking ownership of the entire imaging cycle, radiologists can increase their net worth to patient care and cement their roles as experts in the effective, evidence-based use of imaging technologies.