Early clinical experience using telemedicine for the management of patients with varicose vein disease

Abstract

Introduction The use of telemedicine services may be effective in the perioperative management of patients with varicose veins. Methods Over a seven-month period, patients with varicose veins were evaluated in the virtual clinic via two-way secure videoconferencing or the traditional clinic by the same physician provider. Data sources included institutional Vascular Quality Initiative registry and patient satisfaction surveys. Results Among a total of 121 patients with varicose veins who underwent endovenous catheter ablation of the saphenous vein, 20 patients (16.5%) chose the telemedicine clinic (Group A) and 101 patients (83.5%) chose the traditional clinic (Group B) for their perioperative management. Comparing Group A and Group B, the mean age was 59.2 ± 12.1 versus 59.6 ± 13.0, respectively ( p = 0.944); women were 75% versus 73.3%, respectively ( p = 0.872); African Americans comprised 5% versus 22.8%, while Caucasians comprised 95% versus 63%, respectively ( p = 0.049). Half of the telemedicine patients had multiple virtual visits for a total of 31 virtual encounters. Among telemedicine patients using SurveyMonkey®, 29 telemedicine encounters (93.5%) reported that their virtual visit is "Yes, definitely" or "Yes, somewhat" more convenient over traditional methods. All patients answered that they were able to communicate clearly with the provider, able to have their questions answered, and able to clearly hear and see the provider via telemedicine methods. Discussion Telemedicine services enable another means to deliver high-quality care for patients with venous disease in a safe and coordinated manner. Patients with varicose veins are highly satisfied with the use of telehealth services over the traditional healthcare delivery model.

Favorable Clinician Acceptability of Telehealth as Part of the Cystic Fibrosis Care Model during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Constraints surrounding personal protective equipment and the need for social distancing 1 to minimize disease spread, led to the rapid telehealth adoption to continue patient care. Telehealth has been implemented across many specialties [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] , and championed as a measure to increase access in medically underserved or rural locations. 10 While telehealth may be as effective as in person care 11,12 , it is already associated with high patient satisfaction, 2,13 convenience, 3 cost-effectiveness, 3,11 and reduction in healthcare costs.…”

“…Telehealth has been implemented across many specialties ( 1 – 9 ) and championed as a measure to increase access in medically underserved or rural locations ( 10 ). Although telehealth may be as effective as in-person care ( 11 , 12 ), it is already associated with high patient satisfaction ( 2 , 13 ), convenience ( 3 ), cost-effectiveness ( 3 , 11 ), and reduction in healthcare costs ( 14 ). Technological challenges, start-up cost, and reimbursement concerns have prevented larger-scale adoption ( 15 ).…”

A look to the future: Pandemic-induced digital technologies in vascular surgery

“…successfully using a combination of point-of-care ultrasound services with the Microsoft Skype (Redmond, WA) videoconferencing platform to conduct vascular surgical remote clinical encounters with patients in satellite centers between 2015 and 2016. Of the 82 patients evaluated in this pilot study, 15 new-patient visits, 30 postoperative visits, and 37 follow-up visits were conducted, with 91% highly recommending a virtual physician encounter to a friend or colleague and all respondents reporting that their encounter was more convenient than traditional office visits, replicated in subsequent experiences [ 19 , 29 ].…”

Comparison of virtual visit versus traditional clinic for management of varicose veins

“…5 Our early clinical experience using telemedicine for the management of patients with varicose vein disease demonstrates that patients are highly satisfied with the use of telehealth services over the traditional healthcare delivery model. 6 We have also published the safety and feasibility of synchronous telemedicine with point-of-care ultrasound in evaluating common vascular conditions, which allows more access for patients who require additional care while decreasing overall in-person clinic utilisation. 7 Clinical outcomes of synchronous virtual visits have not been analysed with face-to-face patient encounters for CVD.…”