Thomas J Knackstedt1, Faramarz H Samie2. 1. Section of Dermatology, Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire. 2. Section of Dermatology, Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. Electronic address: Faramarz.h.samie@hitchcock.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) allow patients with similar diagnoses to be simultaneously educated and cared for by 1 provider. SMAs appear well suited for Mohs micrographic surgery because all patients receive similar information about skin cancer pathophysiology, prognosis, prevention, treatment, reconstructive options, and wound care. OBJECTIVE: We sought to create a SMA for the preoperative consultation visit of Mohs micrographic surgery and to evaluate patient satisfaction with this model. METHODS: A pilot SMA was implemented. Patient satisfaction was assessed via a 13-question survey over a 6-month period. RESULTS: In all, 149 patients were seen in our SMAs. The survey response rate was 65.8%. Respondents answered Likert scale questions with a mean value of 4.29 ± 0.09 (on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the best). Patients found the SMA model useful (84.7%) and would attend another SMA in the future (80.6%). LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the sample size of the study, relatively homogenous patient population, possible response bias, and a potential selection bias (as all participants in the SMA chose this type of appointment rather than a conventional one). CONCLUSIONS: SMA can be successfully used for the Mohs preoperative consultation visit with high patient satisfaction.
BACKGROUND: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) allow patients with similar diagnoses to be simultaneously educated and cared for by 1 provider. SMAs appear well suited for Mohs micrographic surgery because all patients receive similar information about skin cancer pathophysiology, prognosis, prevention, treatment, reconstructive options, and wound care. OBJECTIVE: We sought to create a SMA for the preoperative consultation visit of Mohs micrographic surgery and to evaluate patient satisfaction with this model. METHODS: A pilot SMA was implemented. Patient satisfaction was assessed via a 13-question survey over a 6-month period. RESULTS: In all, 149 patients were seen in our SMAs. The survey response rate was 65.8%. Respondents answered Likert scale questions with a mean value of 4.29 ± 0.09 (on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the best). Patients found the SMA model useful (84.7%) and would attend another SMA in the future (80.6%). LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the sample size of the study, relatively homogenous patient population, possible response bias, and a potential selection bias (as all participants in the SMA chose this type of appointment rather than a conventional one). CONCLUSIONS:SMA can be successfully used for the Mohs preoperative consultation visit with high patient satisfaction.
Authors: Ariana Thompson-Lastad; Chloe E Atreya; Maria T Chao; Christine Pollak; Anand Dhruva; Trilce Santana; Donald I Abrams Journal: J Altern Complement Med Date: 2019-07 Impact factor: 2.579