Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare最新文献

{"title":"Drivers of telemedicine in primary care clinics at a large academic medical centre.","authors":"Vijaya Parameswaran, Harrison Koos, Neil Kalwani, Lubna Qureshi, Leah Rosengaus, Rajesh Dash, David Scheinker, Fatima Rodriguez, Cati-Brown Johnson, Kurt Stange, David Aron, Kalle Lyytinen, Christopher Sharp","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231219311","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231219311","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundCOVID-19 disrupted healthcare routines and prompted rapid telemedicine implementation. We investigated the drivers of visit modality selection (telemedicine versus in-person) in primary care clinics at an academic medical centre.MethodsWe used electronic medical record data from March 2020 to May 2022 from 13 primary care clinics (<i>N</i> = 21,031 new, <i>N</i> = 207,292 return visits), with 55% overall telemedicine use. Hierarchical logistic regression and cross-validation methods were used to estimate the variation in visit modality explained by the patient, clinician and visit factors as measured by the mean-test area under the curve (AUC).ResultsThere was significant variation in telemedicine use across clinicians (ranging from 0-100%) for the same visit diagnosis. The strongest predictors of telemedicine were the clinician seen for new visits (mean AUC of 0.79) and the primary visit diagnosis for return visits (0.77). Models based on all patient characteristics combined accounted for relatively little variation in modality selection, 0.54 for new and 0.58 for return visits, respectively. Amongst patient characteristics, males, patients over 65 years, Asians and patient's with non-English language preferences used less telemedicine; however, those using interpreter services used significantly more telemedicine.ConclusionClinician seen and primary visit diagnoses were the best predictors of visit modality. The distinction between new and return visits and the minimal impact of patient characteristics on visit modality highlights the complexity of clinical care and warrants research approaches that go beyond linear models to uncover the emergent causal effects of specific technology features mediated by tasks, people and organisations.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"777-787"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138832733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evidence-based telehealth interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Marija S Kelber, Derek J Smolenski, Courtney Boyd, Lisa M Shank, Dawn M Bellanti, Tiffany Milligan, Amanda Edwards-Stewart, Salvatore Libretto, Kelly Parisi, Maria A Morgan, Daniel P Evatt","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231224491","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231224491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionThe goal of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of behavioral health care treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety delivered via telehealth.MethodsWe searched a combination of keywords related to telehealth, relevant mental health disorders, and evidence-based psychotherapies in three databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase) from database inception to April 2022. We included randomized controlled trials published in English wherein at least one arm received an evidence-based psychotherapy via telehealth. To be included, studies also had to enroll an adult population with symptoms or diagnosis of PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder.ResultsModerate quality of evidence was consistent with only small differences, if any, in efficacy between video teleconferencing (VTC) and in-person delivery for patients with PTSD (<i>d </i>= 0.06, 95% CI -0.17, 0.28). However, for those with depression, in-person delivery was associated with better outcomes compared to VTC (<i>d </i>= 0.28, 95% CI 0.03, 0.54; low quality of evidence). We also found that evidence-based treatments delivered over telephone were more efficacious for depression compared to treatment as usual (<i>d </i>= -0.47, 95% CI -0.66, -0.28; very low quality of evidence). Very low quality of evidence supported the use of telehealth versus waitlist for anxiety (<i>d </i>= -0.48, 95% CI -0.89, -0.09).ConclusionsA synthesis across 29 studies indicates that the efficacy of telehealth for delivery of evidence-based behavioral health interventions varies by target diagnosis and telehealth modality. More research is needed on the efficacy of telehealth treatments for depression and anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"757-767"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139522157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the satisfaction and experiences of oncology patients and doctors using teleconsultation during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Myrto Kastrisiou, Maryam Karimi, Evangelos Aa Christou, Alexandra Bizot, Marie-Alix Ropers, Anne De-Jesus, Meriem Mokdad-Adi, Thi Hong Van To, Alessandro Viansone, Suzette Delaloge, Benjamin Besse, Maria Kfoury","doi":"10.1177/1357633X241229462","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X241229462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Gustave Roussy Cancer Center introduced teleconsultation via telephone, as an alternative to face-to-face consultation to reduce patient hospital visits. This study was designed to assess patient and doctor satisfaction with this modality of care in oncology patient care during the period of the pandemic and beyond.MethodsWe designed two questionnaires based on validated scores to assess satisfaction from teleconsultation in patients (EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire [TSQ] scores) and doctors (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire [TUQ]), and anxiety levels in both groups (anxiety section of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS], HADS-A). These were electronically sent to patients and doctors with experience of at least one remote consultation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Results239 patients and 32 doctors were eligible for the analyses. In the patient group, the mean satisfaction scores were 79.5 (SD 18.1) and 74.92 (SD 15.3) for EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ, respectively. In the doctor group, the mean satisfaction scores were 67.1 (SD 12.7) and 64.9 (SD 13.9) for TUQ and TUQ for Skype for Business, respectively. 65.7% of patients and 81.2% of doctors had no/low anxiety. Univariable analyses in patients showed correlation of the EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ scores with anxiety and gender, with lower mean scores in women compared to men. Multivariable analysis showed correlation of the EORTC OUT-PATSAT 35 and TSQ scores to anxiety in both patients and doctors.ConclusionsTeleconsultation via telephone is an acceptable modality of care for oncology patients, with high satisfaction from its implementation during the pandemic reported by patients and doctors. This was consistent across responder groups with different characteristics. An individualized approach to patients should be implemented for the safe and effective use of teleconsultation in oncology beyond the pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"853-865"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139703850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation of Sweden's first digi-physical hospital-at-home care model for high-acuity patients.","authors":"Mikael Kastengren, Linda Frisk, Linda Winterfeldt, Gunilla Wahlström, Magnus Dalén","doi":"10.1177/1357633X241232176","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X241232176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>AimTo evaluate Sweden's first implementation of a 24/7 high-acuity virtual in-patient ward through a digi-physical in-patient care (DPIPC) program, a hospital-at-home care model combining a virtual hospital-based medical command centre and in-person ambulating medical services functioning as an extension of the Department of Medicine at a secondary-level hospital in Stockholm.MethodsA single-centre descriptive study where adult patients with acute medical illness requiring inpatient-level care were assessed for voluntary treatment in the DPIPC program as a substitute for traditional in-patient care. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction with care. Secondary outcomes included health care use, safety, and quality during the care episode.ResultsFrom October 2022 to June 2023 a total of 200 patients were treated within the DPIPC program. The program covered 63 unique medical conditions, with infectious disease (44%) and pulmonary disease (17%) being the most common. The median length of stay (LOS) in the DPIPC program was 3 days (IQR 3) with a median LOS of 2 days (IQR 3) in the physical hospital prior to inclusion. There were no incidents of patient mortality or hospital-related complications during the DPIPC period. A total of 11 (5.5%) patients were escalated to the traditional hospital, 4 (36.4%) of which required ambulance. The median DPIPC patient satisfaction was 10 (IQR 0) and Net Promotor Score was 88.ConclusionsImplementing a 24/7 high-acuity virtual in-patient ward is feasible and safe for selected patients with acute medical illnesses. Patient satisfaction and care quality within the program is high.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"891-897"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139998119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of video visit appropriateness for common symptoms seen in primary care: A retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Doris Chen, Elyse Gonzales, Marcy Winget, Jonathan Shaw, Maja Artandi, Sandra A Tsai, Ian Nelligan","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231224094","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231224094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionLittle is known about which conditions seen in primary care are appropriate for video visits. This study evaluated video visits compared to office visits for six conditions: abdominal pain, joint pain, back pain, headache, chest pain, and dizziness.MethodsSix hundred charts of adult patients from our institution's same-day outpatient clinic were reviewed in this study. Charts for video visits evaluating the aforementioned chief complaints that occurred between August and October 2020 were reviewed and compared with charts for office visits that occurred from August to September 2019. Frequencies of 3-week follow-up visits, Emergency Room visits, imaging, and referrals for office and video visits were measured. Reasons for in-person evaluation for patients seen by video were determined by review of clinician notes.ResultsThree-week in-person follow-up was more frequent for patients presenting with chest pain (52% vs 18%, <i>p</i> = 0.0007) and joint pain (24% vs 8%, <i>p</i> = 0.05) after video evaluation, relative to an office evaluation. Three-week in-person follow-up was also more frequent for patients presenting with dizziness (38% vs 28%) and low back pain (24% vs 14%); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Patients presenting with headache and abdominal pain did not have a higher rate of follow-up.DiscussionBased on the frequency of in-person follow-up, this study suggests that video visits are generally adequate for evaluating headache and abdominal pain. Patients with dizziness and chest pain have the highest frequency of in-person and Emergency Room follow-up within 3 weeks when first seen by video compared to other conditions evaluated and may be less suitable for an initial video visit. Institutions can consider these findings when scheduling and providing guidance to patients on what type of visit is most appropriate for their symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"826-831"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139522156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Managing pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis in an austere setting: A case report.","authors":"Josephine U Pierce Pucci, Heather M Soloria, Philip G Eye","doi":"10.1177/1357633X241235701","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X241235701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) is the most common demyelinating disease in children. Patients suffer from physical disability, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial challenges. Management requires a multidisciplinary care team. Here we present a case of an 11-year-old boy with POMS who relocated to Guam prior to initiation of a disease-modifying treatment and who experienced a flare without immediate access to an MRI or a child neurologist. Care required the combined efforts of ophthalmology, pediatrics, and emergency medicine in Guam, real-time remote guidance by child neurology, and asynchronous collaboration with cardiology and child neurology. As a result, the immediate flare was accurately diagnosed and treated with steroids, the patient was started on Fingolimod, and an emergency management plan for future flares was constructed. This case illustrates the nuances of both the acute and chronic management of multiple sclerosis in a resource-limited setting and how a combination of synchronous and asynchronous telemedicine was able to achieve a satisfactory treatment plan.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"903-906"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139998120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of telerehabilitation in patients with nonspecific neck pain: A meta-analysis.","authors":"Hui Zou, Zhoupeng Lu, Peng Zhao, Jialin Wang, Ruirui Wang","doi":"10.1177/1357633X241235982","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X241235982","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionAt a rate of more than 30% annually, neck pain is a very prevalent musculoskeletal ailment that is second only to low back pain as the most common cause of disability. Most occurrences of neck pain are nonspecific. Telerehabilitation is regarded as a potentially effective healthcare approach in this setting. This review aims to evaluate how a telerehabilitation-based intervention affected individuals with nonspecific neck pain (NNP) in terms of pain and disability.MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CNKI, and WanFang were consulted from inception to September 2023, with the inclusion of randomized controlled trials only. The experimental data were meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.3.ResultsThe meta-analysis contained eight studies; there was no significant difference in pain improvement in patients with NNP by telerehabilitation compared to conventional care (SMD = -0.10, 95% CI: -0.48 to 0.28), but there was a significant effect on disability improvement (SMD = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.03). Telerehabilitation demonstrated more significant improvements in pain (SMD = -1.16, 95% CI: -1.99 to -0.32) and disability (MD = -3.78, 95% CI: -5.29 to -2.27) compared to minimal or no intervention.DiscussionThis study emphasizes the potential benefits of employing telerehabilitation in patients with NNP, especially in reducing pain intensity and improving disability. But additional study is required to fully grasp the potential of telerehabilitation in this field.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"768-776"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139998118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pilot implementation of a telemedicine care bundle: Antimicrobial stewardship, patient satisfaction, clinician satisfaction, and usability in patients with sinusitis.","authors":"Zoe Grabinski, Victoria Leybov, Sarah Battistich, Brian Roberts, Zachary Migliozzi, Yelan Wang, Harita Reddy, Silas W Smith","doi":"10.1177/1357633X231221586","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X231221586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundTelemedicine-specific clinical pathways (CPWs), coupled with electronic health record (EHR) order panels, provide an opportunity to ensure evidence and guideline concordant care for conditions at risk for inconsistent diagnoses and management strategies. Standardized provider and patient-facing illness scripts may fill gaps in clinicians' communication skills secondary to a training deficit in virtual care delivery. We aimed to implement and assess the impact of a novel care bundle for sinusitis on antimicrobial use, patient satisfaction, clinician satisfaction, and usability in patients with sinusitis.MethodsA sinusitis care bundle (SCB) for virtual urgent care patients included a sinusitis CPW with communication scripts, sinusitis order panels (SOP), and a patient education smart-phrase (SPESP) within visit instructions. Antimicrobial use was assessed during a 15-month period prior to the start of SCB element implementations and 14-months following, using statistical process control charts. Patient satisfaction was measured using Likert-style surveys. Clinician satisfaction was assessed using a novel survey addressing the SCB-targeted domains (decision support, communication, efficiency, usability, and overall satisfaction).ResultsThere were 69,785 and 64,019 evaluable patients in the pre-care and post-care bundle periods, respectively. Despite a significant increase in patients receiving a sinusitis diagnosis in the post-care bundle period (3.2% pre- vs. 6.2% post-, p < 0.001), antimicrobial prescribing decreased by 3.9% (p < 0.001), with statistical process control evidence of special cause change. There was a 5.1% decrease (p < 0.001) in negative patient survey responses after implementation. Clinician survey revealed substantial agreement in the domains relating to improving communication with patients and/or families, with the highest satisfaction for the SPESP over the SOP.ConclusionsImplementation of a telemedicine care bundle for patients diagnosed with sinusitis can balance multiple elements of quality care. The combination of a clinical care pathway, standardized language, and order panels within the EHR has the potential to improve patient satisfaction and decrease antimicrobial prescribing.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"788-795"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139492467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between rurality, dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility and chronic conditions with telehealth utilization: An analysis of 2019-2020 national Medicare claims.","authors":"Cari A Bogulski, George Pro, Mahip Acharya, Mir M Ali, Clare C Brown, Corey J Hayes, Hari Eswaran","doi":"10.1177/1357633X241226741","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X241226741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionTelehealth services have the potential to increase healthcare access among underserved populations, such as rural residents and racial/ethnic minority groups. The COVID-19 public health emergency led to unprecedented growth in telehealth utilization, but evidence suggests the growth has not been equitable across all patient populations. This study aimed to explore whether telehealth utilization and expansion changed equitably from 2019 to 2020 among sub-groups of Medicare beneficiaries.MethodsWe conducted an analysis of telehealth utilization among a 20% random sample of 2019-2020 Medicare beneficiaries on a national level. We fit multivariable logistic regression models and calculated average marginal effects (AME) to assess the association between demographic and clinical characteristics on telehealth utilization.ResultsWe found telehealth utilization was less likely among non-Hispanic Black/African-American (2019: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.77, AME = -0.15; 2020: aOR = 0.85, AME = -3.50) and Hispanic (2019: aOR = 0.79, AME = -0.13; 2020: aOR = 0.87, AME = -2.89) beneficiaries, relative to non-Hispanic White beneficiaries in both 2019 and 2020, with larger disparities in 2020. Rural beneficiaries were more likely to utilize telehealth than urban beneficiaries in 2019 (aOR = 2.62, AME = 0.84), but less likely in 2020 (aOR = 0.57, AME = -14.47). In both years, dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely than non-dually eligible beneficiaries to utilize telehealth (2019: aOR = 4.75, AME = 0.84; 2020: aOR = 1.34, AME = 2.25). However, the effects of dual eligibility and rurality changed in both models as the number of chronic conditions increased.DiscussionWe found evidence of increasing disparities in telehealth utilization among several Medicare beneficiary sub-groups in 2020 relative to 2019, including individuals of minority race/ethnicity, rural residents, and dually eligible beneficiaries, with disparities increasing among individuals with more chronic conditions. Although telehealth has the potential to address health inequities, our findings suggest that many of the patients in greatest need of healthcare are least likely to utilize telehealth services.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"842-852"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11298575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139693309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Smartphone applications for remote patient monitoring reduces clinic utilization after full-endoscopic spine surgery.","authors":"Jannik Leyendecker, Tobias Prasse, Eliana Bieler, Natalie Yap, Peer Eysel, Jan Bredow, Christoph P Hofstetter","doi":"10.1177/1357633X241229466","DOIUrl":"10.1177/1357633X241229466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>IntroductionThe rising number of outpatient spine surgeries creates challenges in postoperative management and care. Telemedicine offers a unique opportunity to reduce in-person clinic visits and improve resource allocation. We aimed to investigate the impact of a validated smartphone application on clinic utilization following full-endoscopic spine surgery (FESS).MethodsWe evaluated patients undergoing FESS from 2020 to 2022 and a pre-COVID control group (CG) from 2018 to 2019. Subsequently, we divided the patients into three groups: one using the application (intervention group, IG), and two CGs (2020-2022, CG and 2018-2019, historical control group (HG)). We analyzed the post-surgical hospitalization rate, all follow-ups, and virtually transmitted patient-reported outcomes.ResultsA total of 115 patients were included in the IG. The CG consisted of 137 and the HG of 202 patients (CG and HG in the following). Group homogeneity was satisfactory regarding patient age (<i>p </i>= 0.9), sex (<i>p</i><i> </i>= 0.88), and body mass index (<i>p</i><i> </i>= 0.99). IG patients were treated as outpatients significantly more often [14.78% vs. 29.2% vs. 37.62% (<i>p</i><i> </i>< 0.001)]. Additionally, IG patients showed significantly higher follow-up compliance [74.78% vs. 40.14% vs. 37.13% (<i>p</i><i> </i>< 0.001)] 3-month post-surgery and fewer in-patient follow-up visits [(0.5 ± 0.85 vs. 1.32 ± 0.8 vs. 1.33 ± 0.7 (<i>p</i><i> </i>< 0.001)].ConclusionOur results underline the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of remote patient monitoring following FESS. Furthermore, they highlight the opportunity to implement a virtual wound checkup, and to substantially improve postoperative follow-up compliance via telemedicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":50024,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare","volume":" ","pages":"866-872"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139698794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}