J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2023; 84(01): 001-007
DOI: 10.1055/a-1715-0077
Original Article

Telemedicine for Neurosurgery Consultations at a Pituitary Center of Excellence: Patient Preference and Willingness to Proceed with Surgery

Alexander Craig McConnell Greven
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
James Miller Douglas
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Jordan Couceyro
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Anudeep Nakirikanti
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Reem Dawoud
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Manuel Revuelta-Barbero
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Elisabeth Ward
2   Department of Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Erica Alexandra Giraldi
2   Department of Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Adriana Ioachimescu
2   Department of Endocrinology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Kimberly Bojanowski Hoang
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
David Painton Bray
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
,
Nelson M. Oyesiku
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate pituitary tumor patient satisfaction with telemedicine, patient preference for telemedicine, potential socioeconomic benefit of telemedicine, and patients' willingness to proceed with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone.

Method In total, 134 patients who had pituitary surgery and a telemedicine visit during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (April 23, 2020–March 4, 2021) were called to participate in a 13-part questionnaire. Chi-square, ANOVA, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to determine significance.

Result Of 134 patients contacted, 90 responded (67%). Ninety-five percent were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their telemedicine visit, with 62% stating their visit was “the same” or “better” than previous in-person appointments. Eighty-two percent of the patients rated their telemedicine visit as “easy” or “very easy.” On average, patients saved 150 minutes by using telemedicine compared with patient reported in-person visit times. Seventy-seven percent of patients reported the need to take off from work for in-person visits, compared with just 12% when using telemedicine. Forty-nine percent of patients preferred in-person visits, 34% preferred telemedicine, and 17% had no preference. Fifty percent of patients said they would feel comfortable proceeding with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone. Patients with both initial evaluation and follow-up conducted via telemedicine were more likely to feel comfortable proceeding with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone compared with patients who had only follow-up telemedicine visits (p = 0.051).

Conclusion Many patients are satisfied with telemedicine visits and feel comfortable proceeding with surgery based on a telemedicine visit alone. Telemedicine is an important adjunct to increase access to care at a Pituitary Center of Excellence.



Publication History

Received: 23 September 2021

Accepted: 28 November 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
07 December 2021

Article published online:
06 January 2022

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