Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare最新文献

IntroductionAntibiotic resistance is a growing public health threat, resulting in challenges in effectively treating bacterial infections. Primary care providers account for the majority of antibiotic prescriptions, highlighting their critical role in antimicrobial stewardship. As telemedicine becomes more prevalent in primary care, there is limited data on how this shift has influenced antibiotic prescribing behavior. Our objective was to examine differences in antibiotic prescription rates for upper respiratory infections (URIs) between in-person and telemedicine appointments in a large primary care health system.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we included patients 18 years and older treated in primary care clinics in the Greater Atlanta area from May 2020 to September 2023. Eligible encounters were billed with a diagnostic code related to URI. The main measures included patient demographics, insurance status, and visit modality. A multivariable logistic regression model evaluated differences in antibiotic prescriptions by visit type.ResultsThere were 33,008 (66%) in-person visits and 16,965 (33.9%) telemedicine visits, totaling 49,973 encounters. The average age of patients was 56.8 (SD 17.5) years, 67.1% patients were female, and 37.6% were Black. There were no significant differences in antibiotic prescribing between telemedicine and in-person appointments (adjusted odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.14-4.86, P > 0.5).DiscussionRates of antibiotic prescribing did not differ significantly between in-person and telemedicine primary care visits for URI. As a healthcare quality indicator, this result provides evidence that in-person and telemedicine appointments are comparable modalities of patient care.

BackgroundStudies show satisfaction with telemedicine, but there is limited data regarding changes in provider practices and clinical outcomes. We sought to evaluate the impact of telehealth on patient-provider communications between visits and clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsSingle-center retrospective study of cirrhotic patients seen outpatient in 2019 and 2020 was conducted. Clinical characteristics, provider practices, and clinical outcomes were obtained. Provider practices included medication adjustments, labs ordered, and patient communication. Clinical outcomes included ED visits, hospitalizations, and mortality.ResultsTotally, 1395 patients were included with a mean age of 61, 51% female, and 73% Caucasian. The median baseline model for end-stage liver disease (MELD-Na) score was 10. During 2019 there were no telehealth visits. In 2020, 37% of clinic visits were telehealth and 64% of patients had at least one telehealth visit. The rate of medication changes significantly decreased in 2020. There was no significant difference in number of clinic visits, labs ordered, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or intensive care unit (ICU) stays between 2019 and 2020. In 2020, the rate of telephone contacts and patient messages significantly increased. Compared to 2019, the odds of death were 2.6 times higher in 2020.ConclusionWhen a majority of cirrhotic patients had a telehealth visit, patients had similar rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and ICU stays, but a higher rate of mortality compared to patients with in-person visits. Telehealth was associated with more patient contact between visits, increasing communication demands on providers.

BackgroundPatients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma need to receive swallowing rehabilitation training. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients do not have the conditions to visit the hospital for follow up frequently, so it is imperative to explore a new remote rehabilitation training model based on network conditions.ObjectiveTo explore the effect of remote rehabilitation training mode on improving postoperative swallowing function in patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.MethodsPatients undergoing remote rehabilitation and video rehabilitation after surgical treatment for supraglottic laryngeal cancer, 16 each, were collected, and swallowing function at the start of transoral feeding was assessed as a baseline to compare swallowing function and the occurrence of complications at different stages of training.ResultsPatients in the remote group began to show significant improvement in subjective swallowing function from the second week (P < .001). In terms of objective swallowing function, although the remote group did not show a significant (P = .66) advantage initially, it was also significantly better than the control group in the fourth week (P＜.001). These effects are even more impressive in patients undergoing open surgery (P＜.001). When completed the rehabilitation phase, patients in the remote group had a better nutritional status (P = .03), especially postlaser surgery patients (P = .02).ConclusionsThe remote rehabilitation training model has an improving effect on patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer postoperative swallowing disorder, which provides a theoretical basis for the design and improvement of the future remote rehabilitation training model. This study suggests that this training model should be incorporated into the daily postoperative management of patients with laryngeal cancer to improve the efficiency of patients' recovery, provide patients with real-time medical information, and relieve patients' anxiety, thus reducing the need for repeated visits and improving patients' postoperative quality of life.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop the Intelligent HOme-based Palliative care for End-of-life (I-HOPE) system, a WeChat mini-program designed to provide home-based palliative care (HBPC), including education, interaction, and social resource access for users.MethodsA mixed-method approach was employed to ensure a comprehensive exploration of user needs, system design, and evaluation. This approach integrated qualitative and quantitative methods, rapid prototyping, expert consultations, and co-design methodologies informed by social ecological theory. Four key stakeholder groups i.e. patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the general public were included. Initially, field research and surveys were conducted to assess the palliative care needs of patients and caregivers. Based on these findings, the mini-program was developed in collaboration with a technical team specializing in healthcare technology. Usability, user experiences, and suggestions for improvement were then collected. This study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals and two community health service centers in Beijing, China.ResultsThe I-HOPE system achieved a System Usability Scale score of 71.89 ± 13.85. User feedback on version 1.0 led to improvements in interface design, features, information presentation, usability, and privacy protection.ConclusionThe development of the I-HOPE system represents an advancement in enhancing the accessibility and quality of HBPC. Future research should focus on identifying areas for further development and assessing its impact on palliative care outcomes.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two methods of telerehabilitation (TR) delivery: mobile health TR (mHealth-TR) and video conference TR (VC-TR) in improving outcomes for patients with RC tendinopathy.MethodsEighty-five participants diagnosed with RC tendinopathy were randomized into synchronous (VC-TR) and asynchronous (mHealth-TR) groups. Both groups received an identical 8-week exercise programme delivered through their assigned platform. The programme included scapular mobilization, range-of-motion, strengthening, and stretching exercises. The primary outcomes were pain level (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]), disability (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] score), quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey [SF-36] score), and shoulder mobility (universal goniometer). The assessments were carried out at baseline, after the treatment (week 8) and at a follow-up of 16 weeks.ResultsThe mean participant age was 51.8 years (SD 9.24), with 27% (n = 23) male. No significant between-group differences were observed for pain (VAS) or shoulder mobility (P > .05 for both). However, a significant group-by-time interaction effect was found for disability, measured by the DASH score (F(1,83) = 10.56, P = .001), and quality of life, measured by the SF-36 overall score (excluding physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, and social function) (Vitality/Energy: F(1,83) = 7.34, P = .006; Pain: F(1,83) = 4.78, P = .034; General Health: F(1,83) = 4.82, P = .032). Post-hoc analysis indicated significant improvements in disability and quality of life scores in the synchronous VC-TR group compared to the asynchronous mHealth-TR group. Specifically, DASH scores in the synchronous group decreased by 9.41 points (95% CI: 3.46 to 15.36, P = .002) from baseline to after treatment, and by 9.34 points (95% CI: 3.48 to 15.20, P = .002) by the 16th week. For quality of life, the VC-TR group showed significant improvements in the Vitality/Energy, Pain, and General Health domains from baseline to follow-up, with mean differences of 6.41, 11.68, and 10.83, respectively (all P < .05).DiscussionThis study suggests that patients with RC tendinopathy may experience greater improvements in pain management, disability, and overall quality of life through synchronous VC-TR compared to asynchronous mHealth-TR.

BackgroundEvolving stroke care demands careful screening of stroke patients to ensure the right care is administered to the right patients in a timely manner. Telestroke has been increasingly utilized to improve access to stroke specialists to make these assessments. Here we explore the care processes at these telestroke site to determine if an optimal care process can be determined.MethodsThis is a post-hoc analysis of data collected as part a larger quality improvement program, the IMPROVE stroke care program. We rank ordered and normalized the DTN times from encounters that used telestroke services to range between 0 and 1. We used linear mixed models to assess the acute stroke care process steps most associated with improvement in thrombolytic administration times.ResultsThe dataset consisted of 21,456 acute stroke code assessments, of which 8356 (80.6%) were conducted via telestroke (TS) services. Of these TS events, 7088 (84.8%) were conducted at sites that used TS for >85% of all events. Compared to private vehicle, EMS arrival is associated with 4% improvement in DTN ranks, though when paired with prehospital notification, DTN ranks significantly improve by 25%. Key process steps associated with shorter DTN times included calling a code stroke quickly upon arrival and notifying the telestroke consultant prior to obtaining the initial CT scan.DiscussionWorking with local EMS to provide prehospital notification along with rapid code stroke activation and consultant notification prior to CT were identified as best practices for providing timely acute stroke care using telestroke providers.

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) patients are frequently rehospitalized shortly after discharge. Telemonitoring and clinical decision support systems (CDSS) health alert follow-up may reduce the mortality and hospitalization in HF patients following discharge.MethodologyWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial until May 2024. Dichotomous data were pooled using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO ID: CRD42024555577.ResultsWe included eight RCTs with a total of 7661 patients. Patients managed by CDSS were at lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who received usual care [RR: 0.64 with 95% confidence interval [CI] (0.45, 0.92), p = 0.01]. However, there was no difference in all-cause hospitalization [RR: 0.99 with 95% CI (0.88, 1.11), p = 0.84] between both groups. Additionally, CDSS led to a significant increase in mineralocorticoid antagonist (MRA) prescription compared to usual care [RR: 1.77 with 95% CI (1.48, 2.11), p < 0.00001], but there was no difference in addition of all-class guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) [RR: 1.23 with 95% CI (1.00, 1.52), p = 0.05] between the both groups.ConclusionClinical decision support systems significantly reduced all-cause mortality and increased MRA prescription. Still, there was no difference in all-cause hospitalization and the addition of all-class GDMT. More robust studies with longer follow-ups are therefore required to thoroughly examine the efficacy of CDSS in optimizing HF management.

IntroductionHeart failure (HF) is associated with high incidence and mortality rates, limited physical activity, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare expenses. Implementing a Telehealth Care (TC) HF program might address these challenges while improving patient outcomes.MethodWe conducted a retrospective observational study using electronic medical record data. The study recruited 916 participants screened with ICD-10 code I50 from 2016 to 2020. After data screening, 210 participants were divided into a remote care group and a control group using propensity score matching. Patients in the remote care group received TC visits for HF management via Bluetooth-enabled equipment, while those in the control group received typical care.ResultsAmong the 587 participants, those who received TC experienced reduced rates of all-cause mortality and readmission within one year, as well as lower rates of cardiovascular disease and HF-related readmission. However, there was no significant difference in cardiovascular disease mortality compared to the control group within one year. Kaplan-Meier time-event curves showed that there were significant differences in survival analysis.DiscussionTC significantly reduced all-cause mortality and rehospitalization rates in HF patients, highlighting its role in enhancing patient outcomes through remote monitoring. Although cardiovascular-specific mortality within one year did not exhibit significant differences, the TC group had fewer HF-related readmissions. This suggests improved disease management and self-care in this group. The findings demonstrate the potential of TC as a valuable tool in standard HF care, particularly for patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes and coronary heart disease.

IntroductionTelemedicine (TM) has potential to address the global opioid use disorder treatment gap, yet its uptake, priorities, and barriers have not been mapped internationally.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey (July to November 2024) of clinicians and clinical leaders via the International Society of Addiction Medicine, World Psychiatric Association, and allied contacts. The questionnaire captured telemedicine facilitated medication for opioid use disorder (TMOUD) practices, priorities, and barriers. Responses were summarised overall and stratified by World Bank country-income group and by current TMOUD availability.ResultsSixty-eight experts from 37 countries, 32% from low/middle-income countries (LMICs), participated. General TM use rose from 57% before COVID-19 to 94% in 2024. TMOUD was available in 26 jurisdictions (38%), more often in high-income than LMIC settings (58% vs 11%). Barriers to prescribing were identified, and few settings reimbursed video and telephone consultations equally. Improving treatment retention (69%), reducing missed appointments (62%), and expanding medications to underserved (60%) or remote (57%) populations as top priorities, yet fewer than 40% reported that TMOUD was currently used to meet those goals. Key barriers were inadequate policy support (60%), lack of professional guidance (63%), restrictive regulation (48%), poor digital infrastructure (broadband 29%; e-prescribing 56%), and limited clinician training (54%); almost every barrier was more common in LMICs.DiscussionTMOUD remains uneven and concentrated in high-income countries. Updated clinical guidance, digital connectivity investment and interoperable e-health systems, and targeted workforce development, particularly in LMICs, are needed to realise TM's potential for equitable and effective treatment of opioid use disorder. This global survey fills a critical knowledge gap by documenting expert perspectives across income settings, offering cross-national evidence to inform equitable expansion of TMOUD worldwide.

ObjectivesRemote patient monitoring (RPM), combining home blood pressure measurements with telehealth services, effectively manages hypertension. Successful implementation of RPM programs at scale requires understanding program costs and financial sustainability. We evaluated the financial performance of an RPM program.MethodsConducted from March to June 2024 in the Cardiology Division at New York University Langone Health, the study used field observation, surveys, and micro-costing methods. A costing tool was developed to quantify program costs in 2024 US dollars, including personnel, equipment, and supplies. RPM-related services reimbursement rates were estimated using Medicare billing information. The return-on-investment (ROI) ratio was calculated by dividing net return (profit) by the RPM program costs. Sensitivity analyses assessed the impact of varying parameters on the ROI of RPM.ResultsThe average RPM program cost was estimated at $330 per patient (range: $208-$452). Major expenses included data review by staff ($172 per patient), blood pressure devices ($48 per patient), and phone communications ($36 per patient). ROI varied based on patient compliance with home blood pressure monitoring (≥16 days per month), with an average estimate of 22.2% (range: -11.1%-93.3%) per patient at a 55% compliance rate. The ROI was most sensitive to changes in data-review costs, insurance reimbursement rates, patient compliance, device setup, and communication costs.ConclusionsThe RPM program achieved a positive ROI from the perspective of a clinical division in a large healthcare system. Successful implementation and financial sustainability of RPM require efforts to reduce human resource costs and enhance patient engagement.