Hai-Lei Li1, Yiu Che Chan2, Jian-Xiong Huang1, Stephen W Cheng3. 1. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong- Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China. 2. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong- Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: ycchan88@hkucc.hku.hk. 3. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong- Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness and patients satisfaction of using telemedicine virtual communications to provide remote health care to vascular patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period in China. METHODS: Video calls using WeChat software (Tencent, Shenzhen, China) between patients and vascular surgeons were conducted in a period when there were restrictions and limitations for people' travels in China. At the end of each video call, a short questionnaire was used to evaluate the patient satisfaction level. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 period from 19 February to March 16, 2020, a sample of 114 from 165 (69%) patients was reached after one phone call attempt. One hundred forty-two telemedicine remote communications were made between the two vascular surgeons and 114 patients. The mean age of this cohort of patients were 60 ± 15.2 (range 25 to 90) years old, and 74 (65%) were men. Twenty-five patients (22%) were outside of our province when they received the video call. The mean duration of the video call was 11.0 ± 8.9 minutes. All of the patients thought telemedicine was a good substitute for coming to hospital, and 95% (108/114) of them preferred to have remote telemedicine rather than postpone the appointment. All the patients agreed with the advantages of telemedicine including no infection risks, no need to travel, and no need to wait for long time. All the patients were "satisfied" or "highly satisfied" with the video call and they would like to use telemedicine for follow-up in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine virtual communications was effective to provide remote health care with a high patient satisfaction during the COVID-19 period. Telemedicine offers support to vulnerable vascular patients without the need for travel and face-to-face hospital consultation, and so avoided transmission and infection.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness and patients satisfaction of using telemedicine virtual communications to provide remote health care to vascular patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period in China. METHODS: Video calls using WeChat software (Tencent, Shenzhen, China) between patients and vascular surgeons were conducted in a period when there were restrictions and limitations for people' travels in China. At the end of each video call, a short questionnaire was used to evaluate the patient satisfaction level. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 period from 19 February to March 16, 2020, a sample of 114 from 165 (69%) patients was reached after one phone call attempt. One hundred forty-two telemedicine remote communications were made between the two vascular surgeons and 114 patients. The mean age of this cohort of patients were 60 ± 15.2 (range 25 to 90) years old, and 74 (65%) were men. Twenty-five patients (22%) were outside of our province when they received the video call. The mean duration of the video call was 11.0 ± 8.9 minutes. All of the patients thought telemedicine was a good substitute for coming to hospital, and 95% (108/114) of them preferred to have remote telemedicine rather than postpone the appointment. All the patients agreed with the advantages of telemedicine including no infection risks, no need to travel, and no need to wait for long time. All the patients were "satisfied" or "highly satisfied" with the video call and they would like to use telemedicine for follow-up in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine virtual communications was effective to provide remote health care with a high patient satisfaction during the COVID-19 period. Telemedicine offers support to vulnerable vascular patients without the need for travel and face-to-face hospital consultation, and so avoided transmission and infection.
Authors: Beatriz Carpallo-Porcar; Laura Romo-Calvo; Sara Pérez-Palomares; Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez; Pablo Herrero; Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz; Sandra Calvo Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-07-19 Impact factor: 3.752
Authors: Talal Almas; Muhammad Hassan Naeem Goraya; Zahid Ijaz Tarar; Tarek Khedro; Maryam Ehtesham; Uzair Malik; Abdulla Hussain Al-Awaid; Muhammad Ali Niaz; Lamees Alshaikh; Ali Rifai Journal: Ann Med Surg (Lond) Date: 2021-05-29