Telemedicine and e-Health最新文献

Objective: To determine the cost-effectiveness of a new telemedicine optometric-based screening program of diabetic retinopathy (DR) compared with traditional models' assessments in a universal European public health system. Methods: A new teleophthalmology program for DR based on the assessment of retinographies (3-field Joslin Vision Network by a certified optometrist and a reading center [IOBA-RC]) was designed. This program was first conducted in a rural area 40 km from the referral hospital (Medina de Rioseco, Valladolid, Spain). The cost-effectiveness was compared with telemedicine based on evaluations by primary care physicians and general ophthalmologists, and to face-to-face examinations conducted by ophthalmologists. A decision tree model was developed to simulate the cost-effectiveness of both models, considering public and private costs. The effectiveness was measured in terms of quality of life. Results: A total of 261 patients with type 2 diabetes were included (42 had significant DR and required specific surveillance by the RC; 219 were undiagnosed). The sensitivity and specificity of the detection of DR were 100% and 74.1%, respectively. The telemedicine-based DR optometric screening model demonstrated similar utility to models based on physicians and general ophthalmologists and traditional face-to-face evaluations (0.845) at a lower cost/patient (€51.23, €71.65, and €86.46, respectively). Conclusions: The telemedicine-based optometric screening program for DR in a RC demonstrated cost savings even in a developed country with a universal health care system. These results support the expansion of this kind of teleophthalmology program not only for screening but also for the follow-up of diabetic patients.

Background: The acceptance of telemedicine in the German health care system is growing. This also extends to gynecological applications such as the prescription of contraceptives. This study investigates the contraceptive use and adherence of patients using a direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription platform for oral contraception. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using anonymized data obtained from a DTC prescription platform between May 2021 and March 2023. The patient-reported outcome was evaluated after 3 months through a follow-up questionnaire. Results: In total, 8,065 patient records were available and 1,008 patients responded to the follow-up questionnaire. Patients were mostly taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and only 6% were taking a progestin-only pill (POP). Even in patient populations at higher risk, such as smokers and obese women, the proportion of POP users was less than 20%. Over 90% of users reported that they took the pill without any intake errors, with the main intake error being forgotten intake. Overall, 23% of patients reported adverse events while taking the pill, with POP users reporting more adverse events than COC users (36.7% vs. 22.2%). Over 70% of patients regularly attended cervical screening. Conclusions: Users of a DTC prescribing platform exhibit strong adherence, with over 90% successfully taking oral contraceptive pills. The platform effectively identifies absolute contraindications but could enhance recommendations for contraceptives in the presence of relative contraindications. For healthy women familiar with pill usage, DTC platforms offer a viable and convenient alternative to traditional doctor's office prescriptions.

Introduction: COVID-19 changed the management of patients with chronic pain. The increased utilization of telemedicine was recommended as a solution. Telemedicine provides medical services by overcoming the geographical distance between practitioner and patient and makes it possible to continue treating the patients with a high level of safety for patients and staff. The aim of our study is to investigate the data on the use of telemedicine in an interdisciplinary pain center in the years 2020 and 2021. Methods: Every patient contact in 2020 and 2021 with the interdisciplinary pain center was registered. Dataset consists of 4,156 patient contacts (N = 1,996 in the year 2020; N = 2,160 in the year 2021). For each patient contact, we collected data on age, sex, place of residence, and the reason or type of the contact. In addition, the incidence rates were used as a data source for the COVID-19 development. Results: In 2020, there was a significant decrease in face-to-face contacts (85.0% to 59.4%) and a significant increase in telemedicine use (especially video calls 0.6% to 20.0%). The use of telemedicine had a temporary peak at the beginning of 2021 (first quarter of 2021: 41.2%). The trend generally reversed during 2021: face-to-face contacts increased again (25.5% to 58.9%) and telemedicine decreased (mainly video calls 41.2% to 25.9%). Conclusion: The results show that telemedicine was successfully implemented in an interdisciplinary pain center during 2020 and 2021. In addition to the software requirements and the data protection, the aspect of digital literacy appears to be relevant. There seems to be a need for an implementation plan in pain centers that includes guidelines for the use of telemedicine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine and telehealth saw a groundswell of growth, only to be shackled in the aftermath of the Public Health Emergency. A Think Tank, funded by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, was held at Michigan State University in August 2024. This paper serves as an introduction to a series of articles focusing on the evolution and future of telehealth in a postpandemic world. It highlights key themes including patient equity, technology, clinical opportunities, research, and education, using Michigan as a model for national adaptation. The paper aims to ignite further discussion and innovation within the telehealth community.

An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-funded Think Tank, held at Michigan State University, brought together a wide range of subject matter experts in telemedicine, telehealth, digital health, digital access, and health care. The authors of this article represented a group focused on the research needs, constructs, and strategies in the post-COVID era. While telemedicine and telehealth grew exponentially during the pandemic, the challenges that have been with us for decades, while ameliorated to some extent, remain. To showcase the State of Michigan as a model, the authors reviewed challenges and opportunities related to telehealth and telemedicine usage and categorized them into seven areas of highest priority. Based on a review of the literature and consultation in the fields of telehealth, telemedicine, and digital access, we identified seven key categories where research would be most effective going forward. These categories include research into the impact of telehealth on clinical services, telehealth's use in administrative activities, education and training for health care providers and patients, telehealth policy implications at state and federal levels, the impact of future technology and innovation on telehealth services, patient characteristics and their experiences, and the ethical aspects of telehealth in the future. We have formulated this overview of our findings to act as a roadmap for future telehealth research. We recommend that ongoing studies should explore each of the seven categories identified above. The search for solutions to overcome the challenges within these topics must not be constrained to research that has been conducted recently; many of these challenges have faced telehealth researchers for decades, and numerous solutions have been proposed over the years. Some of these proposals should be explored once again in light of technological and societal advances. The findings from these studies should be shared in ways and through venues that can make them accessible outside the spheres of academic research, but also by practitioners, policymakers, and patients. Third, research into telehealth in all its incarnations must be prioritized, and leadership is needed to ensure these areas of study are continued to be spotlighted after the noise of the COVID-19 pandemic grows quiet.

Telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic became one of the main means for patients to access the health care system. Rules, regulations, and reimbursement policies were loosened, allowing for its expansion into the clinical arena. Since the end of the pandemic, virtual care models have expanded. With a larger emphasis on value-based care, there is a need to understand how telehealth can be utilized to increase value, improve access, enhance the patient experience, improve outcomes, and decrease health inequalities. The article explores the use of telehealth as it relates to a value-based care model, which includes the patient experience, quality of care (access and health equity), provider/clinical practice, and health system/financial. Recommendations for strengthening the use of telehealth to ensure value-based care are provided.

Background: There is a lack of randomized controlled trials focusing on orthopedic telemedicine (TM). The objective of this research was to compare the diagnostic accuracy and pattern of TM consultations of low-risk orthopedic patients performed by general practitioners (GPs) with those of face-to-face evaluations by orthopedists at an emergency department (ED). Methods: This randomized, single-center study was conducted between October 2021 and November 2022 on patients at an ED. Inclusion criteria were age >18 years, low back pain, extremity contusion, ankle sprain, or neck pain. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 for TM consultations by generalist physicians with subsequent face-to-face orthopedic evaluations (TM-ED group) or face-to-face evaluations by orthopedic physicians (ED group). Primary outcomes were syndromic diagnosis, physical examination, and tests ordered. Secondary analysis included a satisfaction survey. Results: A total of 99 patients were enrolled; mean age was 41 ± 10.1 years, and 62.6% were female. The most common conditions were foot contusion (28.3%), ankle sprain (27.3%), hand contusion (19.2%), low back pain (19.2%), and neck pain (6.1%). Syndromic diagnosis showed no difference between groups (p = 0.231). In the TM-ED group (n = 51), self-examination demonstrated moderate to good agreement with face-to-face evaluations in several areas. Both groups showed similar tests practices. Patient satisfaction was higher in the TM-ED group across multiple measures. Conclusion: TM consultations for low-risk orthopedic patients by GPs are not inferior to face-to-face specialist evaluations at the ED. Virtual assessments are associated with higher patient satisfaction. Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT04981002.

Background: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) face barriers and disparities in accessing care for evaluation and treatment. Given the unmet needs and barriers to access to care, teleservices (e.g., teleconsultation and televisit) could support these patients by providing reliable information, offering specialty care and managing symptoms. The objective of this work was to identify and validate the data elements and main characteristics required for the design and implementation of a teleconsultation and televisit system for patients with MS. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study was completed through three main stages in 2023-2024. Various methods, including literature review, focus group discussion, and the Delphi technique, were employed to identify the data elements. A review of the literature was carried on electronic databases to detect the elements for the system. A focus group was established to review, add, or delete the data elements obtained from searching the literature. The Delphi technique was employed to achieve consensus and validate the preliminary system design. Results: A total of 97 data elements were classified into seven distinct categories, including patients' demographic information, physicians' demographic information, clinical information, teleconsultation, televisit, statistics/reports generation, and other system capabilities. Overall, 104 data elements were approved by the specialists for inclusion in the system. Conclusions: In this research, the necessary data elements for the design and implementation of a teleconsultation and televisit system for patients with MS were suggested. System developers and decision makers can utilize these data elements to recognize the specific information required in the system while initiating the design process for various systems for patients with MS.

Telehealth modalities have given patients options for delivery of care, and in some cases increased access to care. However, great effort needs to be made by providers and clinic staff to ensure patients are given choice in their delivery of care methods and technological support to work toward equity in care. We propose applying the BEACH model for shared decision-making to help providers support patients in choosing the best care delivery method, while also encouraging providers to seek further education on telehealth competencies. Lastly, we stress the importance of the clinical staff in ensuring patient autonomy, education, and support when choosing telehealth modalities of care.