Opportunity costs of attending surgical clinic appointments and experiences with telemedicine for follow-up care.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Telemedicine has been rapidly implemented in orthopedics during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The purpose of this study was to quantify opportunity costs for patients attending typical in-person appointments and understand their perceptions of telemedicine for follow-up care.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed by surveying patients who had elective orthopedic surgery and attended at least one in-person and one phone call appointment. The survey assessed opportunity costs associated with in-person appointments, experience with telemedicine, and preferred type of future appointment.

Results

Of the 49 eligible patients, 41 (83.7%) completed the survey. The median travel distance to the clinic was 108 km, and the time spent in the clinic was 6

SUBMITTER: Thatcher MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8436310 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature