The impact of a virtual cardiology outpatient clinic in the COVID-19 era.
Ir J Med Sci
; 191(2): 553-558, 2022 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33852156
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have demanded an innovative approach to provide appropriate patient review. We have been running virtual cardiology clinics as per Health Service Executive guidance.AIMS:
Our study aims to determine how virtual clinics change practice vs traditional clinics.METHODS:
A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients attending cardiology clinics in our hospital from 6 January to 13 March 2020 ('traditional clinic', n = 1644), compared with clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak, from 16 March to 22 April 2020 ('virtual clinic', n = 691), with the same medical staff.RESULTS:
There was no difference in age (61 vs 60), case mix or new vs return appointments in virtual vs traditional clinics. There were similar rates of clinic participation, 71.8% vs 74.2%. A lower proportion of investigations (e.g. imaging) were booked in virtual (38.5%) vs traditional (55.7%) clinics, p < 0.00001. Management changes (e.g. medication changes) were less frequent in virtual (19.9%) vs traditional (38.5%) clinics, p < 0.00001. However, the discharge rate was higher in virtual (28.8%) vs traditional (19.5%) clinics, p = 0.00003.CONCLUSION:
This study highlights that virtual clinic consultations are associated with fewer investigations, fewer management changes, and increased discharge rates compared with traditional consultations. These practice changes would reduce costs and hospital outpatient congestion by avoiding unnecessary hospital reviews. Nonetheless, it is unknown whether patients requiring face-to-face consultations could be missed as a result of this virtual approach. Longitudinal studies are required to assess clinical outcomes as a result of these practice changes and whether patient satisfaction is altered.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Eixos temáticos:
Inovacao_tecnologica
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cardiologia
/
Telemedicina
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article