Electronic consultations with Video Supported PowerPoint versus in-clinic face-to-face, pre-travel consultations: A single-centre, comparative analysis

• Published in: Travel medicine and infectious disease 2020-01, Vol.33, p.101556-101556, Article 101556
• Main Authors: Virk, Abinash, Jayawant, Mandrekar, Springer, Donna J., Kasten, M.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Comparative analysis; eConsultations; Education; Electronic consultations; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Polls & surveys; Pre-travel education; Surveys; Telehealth; Telemedicine; Travel; Travel medicine; Travelers; Tropical diseases; Vaccines
• ISSN: 1477-8939; 1873-0442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101556

Pretravel consultation involves a face-to-face visit with a Travel Medicine expert and includes time consuming educating/counseling. Efficacy of electronic consultations for pretravel is unknown. We compared pretravel education via face-to-face consult to an electronic consultations combined with education via Video Supported PowerPoint for select travelers. We conducted a prospective trial comparing pre-travel education via electronic consultations versus face-to-face consult. Study was conducted from May 2014 through May 2015. Pretravel surveys were completed by 100 in electronic consult arm and 94 in face-to-face consult arm; 67/100 (67%) in the electronic consult and 51/94 (54.2%) in the face-to-face group completed post-travel surveys. Both groups had similar baseline demographics. 36.2% of the face-to-face group felt the trip preparation could have effectively been accomplished through electronic consult, while 33% felt that a face-to-face consult was needed; in contrast, a majority (63.3%) of electronic consult group preferred the electronic consult. Pre-travel education effectiveness was similar in both groups. No statistically significant differences in responses were noted in both groups to 5 of the 6 knowledge assessment questions. A higher proportion (76/100; 76%) in the electronic consult group compared to 55.4% (51/94) (p = 0.0018) in face-to-face group chose the correct response regarding management of febrile bloody diarrhea. 53% reported behavior change to prevent travel related illnesses, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. electronic consultation with Video Supported PowerPoint pre-travel education is as effective as education via face-to-face consultations and provides a viable alternative to face-to-face consultations in select travelers.