Telemedicine Online Visits in Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Potential, Risk Factors, and Patients’ Perspective

Boehm, Katharina; Ziewers, Stefani; Brandt, Maximilian Peter; Sparwasser, Peter; Haack, Mareike; Willems, Franziska; Thomas, Anita C; Dotzauer, Robert; Höfner, Thomas; Tsaur, Igor; Haferkamp, Axel; Borgmann, Hendrik

doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2020.04.055

Cited by 179 publications

(163 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Elective surgeries have been suspended and even cancer cases have been postponed, with the hope that such delay will not have a negative impact on patient's outcome (9). Telemedicine has become an important tool, reducing the exposure of patients and clinicians, but only a small fragment of practitioners was prepared for this and most patients do not openly accept this new way modality of evaluation (10,11). As a result, urologists and other surgical specialists have been experiencing a tremendous impact on their income, especially those whose earnings are driven mostly from their private practice (12).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists

et al. 2020

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Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists during the month of April 2020. Materials and Methods: A 39-question, web-based survey was sent to all urologist members of the Brazilian Society of Urology. We assessed socio-demographic, professional, health and behavior parameters. The primary goal was to evaluate changes in urologists' clinical practice and income after two months of COVID-19. We also looked at geographical differences based on the incidence rates of COVID-19 in different states. Results: Among 766 urologists who completed the survey, a reduction ≥ 50% of patient visits, elective and emergency surgeries was reported by 83.2%, 89.6% and 54.8%, respectively. An income reduction of ≥ 50% was reported by 54.3%. Measures to reduce costs were implemented by most. Video consultations were performed by 38.7%. Modifications in health and lifestyle included weight gain (32.9%), reduced physical activity (60.0%), increased alcoholic intake (39.9%) and reduced sexual activity (34.9%). Finally, 13.5% of Brazilian urologists were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and about one third required hospitalization. Urologists from the highest COVID-19 incidence states were at a higher risk to have a reduction of patient visits and nonessential surgeries (OR=2.95, 95% CI 1.86-4.75; p< 0.0001) and of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (OR=4.36 95%CI 1.74-10.54, p=0.012). Conclusions: COVID-19 produced massive disturbances in Brazilian urologists' practice, with major reductions in patient visits and surgical procedures. Distressing consequences were also observed on physicians' income, health and personal lives. These findings are probably applicable to other medical specialties.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists

et al. 2020

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“…Moreover, Larson et al demonstrated that telemedicine intervention in cancer patients is comparable with face-to-face interaction insofar as quality of life is concerned [16]. Thus, telemedicine appears to be a solution that offers contact-free continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as any other crisis [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Tele-Urology”: Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a Wake-up Call?

Almannie

Almuhaideb

Alzahrani

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The purpose of this research is to measure the current use of telemedicine technologies among urologists, their readiness to adopt the same, and to assess the barriers preventing such usage. Methods: 228 board-certified urologists completed our self-designed survey. An analysis was done to assess the increase in the use of telemedicine and the urologists’ telemedicine experience responses. Data analysis was done using SPSS software.Results: There has been a tremendous increase in the use of telemedicine among urologists during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Most of the respondents of this study performed general urology as part of their daily practice (59.6%). Prior to the pandemic, 53.9% of the participants had never used any means of telemedicine. However, during the pandemic, 72.4% of urologists who had never used telemedicine began using the same. Almost all of the respondents agreed that physical examination is difficult when using telemedicine, which resulted in the highest mean value among the questionnaire items. Urologists below 35 years old agreed, to a larger extent, that telemedicine saves them more time and is simple to use than urologists from other age groups.Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most urologists adopted telemedicine technology rapidly. Adopting telemedicine in the future could have several benefits. However, the limitations of telemedicine should be respected in order to avoid compromising patient safety.

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic situation is exceptional and generates enormous pressure on health systems. A drastic change from face-to-face visits to telemedicine occurred in urology as well as in other specialties (6,7). Depending on local regulations, telemedicine is a feasible option to triage patients, offering the advantages of reducing unnecessary hospital physical visits and the risk of transmission (3,8).…”

Section: Visits and Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Endourology (Lithiasis). Management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients in the COVID-19 era

Socarrás¹,

Esperto

Bapstistussi³

et al. 2020

Int. braz j urol.

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Purpose: To provide recommendations on the endourological management of lithiasis in the scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A non-systematic review in PubMed and the grey literature, as well as recommendations by a panel of stakeholders was made, regarding management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients affected by lithiasis in the COVID-19 era. Results: Under the current outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic scenario, patients affected by lithiasis should be prioritized into low, intermediate and high risk categories, to decide their delay and save resources, healthcare personnel, beds and ventilators. However, patients with potentially serious septic complications need emergency interventions. The possibility of performing or restarting elective activity depends on local conditions, the availability of beds and ventilators, and the implementation of screening protocols in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delaying lithiasis surgery and increasing waiting lists will have consequences and will require considerable additional effort. Teleconsultation may be useful in guiding these patients, reducing visits and unnecessary exposure. Conclusions: categorization and prioritization of patients affected by lithiasis is crucial for management, surgical selection and follow-up. Protocols, measures and additional efforts should be carried out in the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Telemedicine Online Visits in Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic—Potential, Risk Factors, and Patients’ Perspective

Cited by 179 publications

References 9 publications

Impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists

Impact of COVID-19 on clinical practice, income, health and lifestyle behavior of Brazilian urologists

“Tele-Urology”: Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a Wake-up Call?

Endourology (Lithiasis). Management, surgical considerations and follow-up of patients in the COVID-19 era

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