Telemedicine evaluation of new head and neck patients at a tertiary academic clinic during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

• Published in: Journal of telemedicine and telecare 2024-06, Vol.30 (5), p.860-870
• Main Authors: Xie, Katherine Z, Antezana, Luis A, Bowen, Andrew J, Yin, Linda X, Yeakel, Sarah, Nassiri, Ashley, Moore, Eric J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; RESEARCH/Original; Telemedicine
• ISSN: 1357-633X; 1758-1109; 1758-1109
• DOI: 10.1177/1357633X221100054

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 accelerated the use of virtual visits within health care. We examined the utility of telemedicine for conducting visits in a tertiary head and neck practice. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients presenting via video to a tertiary-level head and neck clinic between January 2020 and December 2020. Patient demographics were collected in addition to visit indication, diagnostic imaging/tests at the time of visit, and post-visit plan. Visits were deemed successful if evaluation by video was sufficient in determining a clinical plan and did not require deferment of recommendations for subsequent in-person consult visits and/or work-up (labs, imaging). Logistic regression was performed to identify variables that served as significant predictors of successful video visits. Results A total of 124 video visits were reviewed. Video visits were successful for the initial evaluation 88.7% of the time (n = 110). Computerized tomographic scans were the most available diagnostic test, available for 54% of patients (n = 67), followed by biopsy report 30.6% (n = 38). Visit indication had a statistically significant effect on whether a treatment plan could be made (p = 0.024). For new patients with parotid masses (n = 42), definitive treatment plans could be made 97.6% of the time (n = 41). Patients presenting with an indication of thyroid mass (odds ratio: 0.19 (confidence interval: 0.00072–0.50), p = 0.018) and other neck mass (odds ratio: 0.035 (confidence interval: 0.0014, 0.90), p = 0.043) were at significantly lesser odds than parotid patients to have a successful video visit. Discussion In this study, virtual visits were successful for a high percentage of head and neck visits, particularly among patients seeking evaluation for parotid-related concerns.