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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Emily Oates, Venkatesh Kanakala
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
Access to remote appointments (RA) by telephone or video is increasing as technology advances and becomes more available to patients. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to discover whether surgical patients are satisfied with RAs when compared with conventional outpatient clinics (OPC). A literature search of RCTs of surgical patient satisfaction of RAs versus OPC appointments was performed. The PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched to include articles from January 2000 to 2020. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to compare outcomes. All 7 RCTs showed that patients were as satisfied with RAs as OPC appointments (RR = 1.00, [0.98-1.02]; P = .73). Furthermore, both patient cohorts would prefer RAs for future follow-up (RR = 2.29, [1.96-2.97]; P < .00001). One RCT found the cost to institutions was less in the RA group ($19.05 vs $52.76) and another found the patients would save $9.96 on transportation costs. The majority of RCTs suggested cost to patients and or institutions would be less for RA. In conclusion, surgical patients are satisfied with RAs and in fact would prefer them.
Author(s): Oates EV, Lim GHC, Nevins EJ, Kanakala V
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Patient Experience
Year: 2021
Volume: 8
Online publication date: 31/07/2021
Acceptance date: 31/07/2021
Date deposited: 25/01/2023
ISSN (print): 2374-3735
ISSN (electronic): 2374-3743
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735211035916
DOI: 10.1177/23743735211035916
PubMed id: 34377778
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