Videoconference compared to telephone in healthcare delivery: A systematic review

Rush, Kathy L.; Howlett, Laura; Munro, Arlin; Burton, Lindsay

doi:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2018.07.007

Cited by 192 publications

(169 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Telephone hotlines require a minimum of technological capabilities, can be implemented rapidly, and are accessible to those who may not have internet access, especially when facilities with public internet access such as libraries are closed. Past research has indicated that telephone calls yield similar patient health outcomes when compared to video-based appointments [20]. Although some communities have described higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death among low income and racial and ethnic minority patients, data from our hospital system in Northeast Ohio does not indicate any observed racial or socioeconomic disparities in care process or outcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

On the Front (Phone) Lines: Results of a COVID-19 Hotline in Northeast Ohio

Margolius

Hennekes

Yao

et al. 2020

Preprint

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medRxiv preprint Key PointsQuestion: What is the feasibility and effectiveness of physician telehealth services during a pandemic?Findings: In this cohort study of a COVID-19 telehealth hotline that included 10,112 callers and 4,213 physician telehealth visits, most patients (79%) were advised to self-isolate at home, 14% were found unlikely to have COVID-19, 4% dispositions (e.g. testing or office visit) and 3% were advised to immediately seek care emergency department. 83% of patients who were advised to stay home did not require in-person visits.Meaning: Physician-directed telehealth services conserve scarce resources and provide effective, equitable care during a pandemic without compromising patient safety.ABSTRACT Importance: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the associated coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) have presented immense challenges for health care systems. Many regions have struggled to adapt to disruptions to health care practice and employ systems that effectively manage the demand for services.Objective: To examine the effectiveness of the first five weeks' of a 24/7 physician-staffed COVID-19 hotline.Design: Cohort study using electronic health records.Setting: A single large health care system in Northeast Ohio.Participants: During 5 weeks of operation, 10,112 patients called the hotline (callers) and were evaluated by a registered nurse (RN) using standardized protocols. Of these, 4,213 (42%) were referred for a physician telehealth visit (telehealth patients). The mean age of callers was 42 years. 67% were female, 51% white, and 46% were on Medicaid or uninsured.Intervention: Physician telehealth visits for COVID-19. Main Outcomes and Measures:We describe clinical diagnosis, patient characteristics (age, sex race/ethnicity, smoking status, insurance status), and visit disposition. We use logistic regression to evaluate associations between patient characteristics, visit disposition and subsequent emergency department use, hospitalization, and SARS-Cov-2 PCR testing. Results:Common caller concerns included cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Most telehealth patients (79%) were advised to self-isolate at home, 14% were determined to be unlikely to have COVID-19, 3% were advised to seek emergency care, and 4% had miscellaneous other dispositions. A total of 287 (7%) patients had a subsequent ED visit, and 44 (1%) were hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis. Of the callers, 482 (5%) had a COVID-19 test reported with 69 (14%) testing positive. Among patients advised to stay at home, 83% had no further face-to-face visits. In multivariable results, only a physician recommendation to seek emergency care was associated with emergency room use (OR=4.73, 95%CI 1.37-16.39, p=.014). Only older age was associated with having a positive test result. Conclusions and Relevance:Robust, physician-directed telehealth services can meet a wide range of needs during the acute phase of a pandemic, conserving scarce resources such as personal protective equipment and testing sup...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

On the Front (Phone) Lines: Results of a COVID-19 Hotline in Northeast Ohio

Margolius

Hennekes

Yao

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…VC seems to work well over long distances and to benefit patients in rural areas [15]. In addition, several studies have found that using VC interventions with patients and their providers can reduce the use of hospital services and improve some contributors to quality of life (QoL) [21,51]. Nurse-led follow-up VC appears feasible; however, new initiatives should incorporate evaluations of patient outcomes [22].…”

Section: Influences Of Vc On Follow-up Carementioning

confidence: 99%

“…If nurses avoid u sing VC, they may travel to patients even if the situation does not indicate the need for an in-person visit, which is an inefficient use of nurses' time. Additionally, nurses who avoid using VC may choose to use the phone, which will not provide them with the opportunity to observe and acquire knowledge of patients' conditions in the same way that VC does [20,21,31]. Of course, it is likely that the use of new cellphones may make tablets obsolete, which may also alter nurses' and patients' familiarity with using video to communicate.…”

Section: Tool Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of VC can give patients access to health care personnel without staff or patients having to spend time and effort traveling. Compared to verbal telephone follow-up, VC can also generate richer, more in-depth conversation by allowing the use of body language, and research has shown that patients in community care have found that VC counseling and guidance is similar to faceto-face meetings [7,[16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The use of VC is recommended to be complementary to traditional care [28]. Research has shown that cancer patients who have access to online support in interactions with health care professionals cope better with their illnesses and everyday lives [21,[29][30][31].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Oncology nurses’ experiences with the implementation and trial of video communication in the follow-up of cancer patients in primary care: a pilot study in Norway

Rygg

Brataas

Nordtug

2019

Preprint

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Background: Cancer survival has increased significantly over the last decade. An increasing number of patients require long-term health care. There is a need for new models of effective follow-up in primary cancer care.Objective: The aim was to provide knowledge about oncology nurses’ (ONs’) experiences and perceptions of the use of video communication (VC) to follow up with patients living at home.Methods: This was a descriptive, qualitative study of ONs’ experiences with implementing and trying VC. Data were gathered after a 3-month trial. Individual interviews were content analyzed.Results: Four female ONs participated. The study provides knowledge about the introduction of VC and its influences on follow-up care.Conclusions: With the provision of technical support and training during the introduction of VC and with the protection of patient safety, VC seems to be an effective addition to the traditional follow-up of cancer patients living at home. The findings indicate that VC can be used in primary cancer care. Our findings have practical consequences for nursing leaders considering VC in patient follow-up. Additional research is necessary.

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Availability of Mental Telehealth Services in the US

Cantor,

Schuler,

Matthews

et al. 2024

JAMA Health Forum

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ImportanceTelehealth utilization for mental health care remains much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic; however, availability may vary across facilities, geographic areas, and by patients’ demographic characteristics and mental health conditions.ObjectiveTo quantify availability, wait times, and service features of telehealth for major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia throughout the US, as well as facility-, client-, and county-level characteristics associated with telehealth availability.Design, Settings, and ParticipantsCross-sectional analysis of a secret shopper survey of mental health treatment facilities (MHTFs) throughout all US states except Hawaii from December 2022 and March 2023. A nationally representative sample of 1938 facilities were contacted; 1404 (72%) responded and were included. Data analysis was performed from March to July 2023.ExposureHealth facility, client, and county characteristics.Main Outcome and MeasuresClinic-reported availability of telehealth services, availability of telehealth services (behavioral treatment, medication management, and diagnostic services), and number of days until first telehealth appointment. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to assess whether facility-, client-, and county-level characteristics were associated with each outcome.ResultsOf the 1221 facilities (87%) accepting new patients, 980 (80%) reported offering telehealth. Of these, 97% (937 facilities) reported availability of counseling services; 77% (726 facilities), medication management; and 69% (626 facilities) diagnostic services. Telehealth availability did not differ by clinical condition. Private for-profit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.05-2.92) and private not-for-profit (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.42-3.39) facilities were more likely to offer telehealth than public facilities. Facilities located in metropolitan counties (compared with nonmetropolitan counties) were more likely to offer medication management services (aOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.11-3.00) but were less likely to offer diagnostic services (aOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.47-0.95). Median (range) wait time for first telehealth appointment was 14 (4-75) days. No differences were observed in availability of an appointment based on the perceived race, ethnicity, or sex of the prospective patient.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this cross-sectional study indicate that there were no differences in the availability of mental telehealth services based on the prospective patient’s clinical condition, perceived race or ethnicity, or sex; however, differences were found at the facility-, county-, and state-level. These findings suggest widespread disparities in who has access to which telehealth services throughout the US.

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Videoconference compared to telephone in healthcare delivery: A systematic review

Cited by 192 publications

References 22 publications

On the Front (Phone) Lines: Results of a COVID-19 Hotline in Northeast Ohio

On the Front (Phone) Lines: Results of a COVID-19 Hotline in Northeast Ohio

Oncology nurses’ experiences with the implementation and trial of video communication in the follow-up of cancer patients in primary care: a pilot study in Norway

Availability of Mental Telehealth Services in the US

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