Telephone Clinic Follow-Up Following Carpal Tunnel Decompression

This paper investigates the feasibility of a telephone clinic follow-up service for patients undergoing carpal tunnel decompression. Six hundred and thirty patients were recruited over a 2-year period and we assessed their outcome and satisfaction level in the service, using a pre-determined questio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hand surgery, European volume European volume, 2008-10, Vol.33 (5), p.641-644
Main Authors: WILLIAMS, M., AMIN, A., GETGOOD, A., HALLAM, P., CHOJNOWSKI, A. J., CHAPMAN, P. G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - surgery
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Decompression, Surgical
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Feasibility Studies
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - economics
Patient Satisfaction
Program Evaluation
Remote Consultation - economics
Telephone
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Summary:This paper investigates the feasibility of a telephone clinic follow-up service for patients undergoing carpal tunnel decompression. Six hundred and thirty patients were recruited over a 2-year period and we assessed their outcome and satisfaction level in the service, using a pre-determined questionnaire 6 weeks following surgery. The telephone clinic was overseen by a surgical care practitioner. We followed up 598 patients (93%) in total, and found 42 patients to be dissatisfied with the service (7%). These patients were referred for outpatient consultation and investigation. Most patients were satisfied with their surgical outcome and found the telephone clinic service to be convenient and effective. Cost analysis calculations estimated a potential saving of £45,958 over the 2-year period when compared to standard outpatient consultation. This model has been developed in our trust to follow up patients undergoing similar minor hand surgery.
ISSN:1753-1934
2043-6289
DOI:10.1177/1753193408090124