Telemedicine during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hand Surgery Perspective

Abstract

Background: A major consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. healthcare system has been the rapid transition away from in-person healthcare visits to telehealth. This study analyzed patient and surgeon satisfaction in the utilization of telehealth within the hand surgery division during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All hand surgery patients who completed a telemedicine visit from March 30th, 2020 through April 30th, 2020 completed a 14-question survey via e-mail. Hand surgeons who participated in telemedicine completed a separate 14-question survey. Survey results were presented descriptively (mean ± standard deviation) and patient factors influencing satisfaction were determined using univariate and multivariate proportional modeling. Results: 89 patients and five surgeons completed the surveys. Patients were very satisfied with their telemedicine visits (4.21/5.00 ± 0.89). Multivariate proportional modeling determined patients who found it “very easy” (5/5) to arrange telemedicine visits had greater satisfaction (OR = 4.928; 95% CI = 0.94 to 25.84) compared to those who found it “difficult” (2/5) (p = 0.059). Patients who believed they could ask/relay questions/concerns “extremely effectively” (5/5) had greater satisfaction (OR = 55.236; CI = 11.39 to 267.80) compared to those who asked/relayed questions only “slightly effective” to “moderately effectively” (p < 0.001). Surgeons were similarly satisfied with their telemedicine experience (4.00/5.00 ± 0.89) and were confident in their diagnoses (4.20/5.00 ± 0.84). All surgeons responded they will continue using telemedicine. 30.7% of patients would choose telemedicine over an inperson visit. Conclusions: Telemedicine provides a viable platform for healthcare delivery with high patient and surgeon satisfaction. Most patients still prefer in-person visits for the post-pandemic future.