Effectiveness and Satisfaction with Telemedicine in Geriatric Patients at High Risk of Fragility Fractures.

ABSTRACT

Background: Telemedicine has increasingly widespread to improve the monitoring of patients with chronic diseases. Secondary prevention of fragility fractures is an urgent matter to be addressed by means of available technology, although supported by little evidence so far. We investigated the feasibility, efficacy, and satisfaction of managing older adults at high risk of fragility fractures during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: During the period January to July 2021, a prospective observational study for safety and adherence purposes was conducted among older adults (n = 407) with ongoing treatments for secondary prevention of fragility fractures. The study procedures comply with national and regional resolutions related to telemedicine service (TS), including equipment, staff behaviors, and patient reports. Results: A majority (86.48% [n = 352]) of the eligible patients joined the remote visits, mainly women (88.2%), 81.4 ± 8.8 years of age, 49.6% independent in 5 out of 6 BADL, despite high comorbidity (4.9 ± 1.5), and polypharmacy (4.9 ± 3.1). Almost all were on second-line antifracture treatments (95.58%) due to previous major (84.03%) and minor (42.5%) fragility fractures. About 58% reported good and very good reliability of the internet network, allowing easy access to the TS platform, and 54% declared the degree of satisfaction with TS as good and very good. About 75% of clinicians acknowledged the efficacy of TS and expressed willingness to recommend the use of TS to colleagues. Ultimately, 68% of specialists defined the time allocated for patients' remote visits as acceptable. Conclusion: TS may be an opportunity to improve the availability of appropriate health care services to satisfy patients' needs and optimize health care resource allocation.