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. 2023 Jun 15:23:e35.
eCollection 2023.

The Utility of Telemedicine in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Provider and Patient Perspectives

Brandon Alba  1 , Sydney H Arnold  1 , Charalampos Siotos  1 , Mark Hansdorfer  1 , Amir Aminzada  1 , Amir Dorafshar  1 , Keith Hood  1
Affiliations

The Utility of Telemedicine in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Provider and Patient Perspectives

Brandon Alba et al. Eplasty. .

Abstract

Background: The use of telemedicine has become increasingly common, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual visits can be beneficial for use in plastic surgery but are not without limitations. The purpose of this study was to better understand the utility of telemedicine in plastic surgery from both patient and provider perspectives.

Methods: A survey was distributed to all patients who had a telemedicine visit at the authors' institution from April to October 2020 as well as a representative cohort of providers via the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The survey collected various demographic data and included a Likert scale questionnaire to assess the use and overall quality of telemedicine services. Data collected for the patient and provider groups were compared using t tests, chi-square tests, and Mann-Whitney (U) tests.

Results: A total of 67 patients (N = 501; 13.4%) and 160 providers (N = 2701; 5.9%) responded to the survey. Patients were significantly younger than providers (45.8 ± 11.8 vs 55.0 ± 11.6 years; P < .001). Patients responded significantly more favorably than providers in the domains of telemedicine usefulness, ease of use, interaction quality, and reliability. Patients were significantly more comfortable than providers in scheduling surgery without an in-person visit. Patients also rated higher comfort levels than providers with a virtual physical examination, including examination of sensitive body parts, such as breasts and genitals.

Conclusions: Plastic surgery patients are generally comfortable and satisfied with the care provided by telemedicine. Telemedicine can provide high-quality health care and can be utilized by plastic surgeons to optimize care in their practice.

Keywords: Management; Plastic Surgery; Practice; Reconstructive; Surgery; Telehealth; Telemedicine.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Demographic data for patient and provider respondents.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Demographic data for patient and provider respondents.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Demographic data for patient and provider respondents.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Demographic data for patient and provider respondents.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Demographic data for patient and provider respondents.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Demographic data for patient and provider respondents.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Descriptive data regarding providers’ practices.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Descriptive data regarding providers’ practices.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Descriptive data regarding providers’ practices.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Descriptive data regarding providers’ practices.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distance from home to the plastic surgeon's primary place of practice, in miles and minutes
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distance from home to the plastic surgeon's primary place of practice, in miles and minutes
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distance from home to the plastic surgeon's primary place of practice, in miles and minutes
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distance from home to the plastic surgeon's primary place of practice, in miles and minutes
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of provider and patient responses to survey questions regarding the use of telemedicine. Each question was answered via a Likert scale in which 1 corresponds to “Strongly Disagree” and 5 corresponds to “Strongly Agree.” Data are presented as average value of responses. Error bars represent standard deviation. *Statistically significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of provider and patient responses to survey questions regarding the use of telemedicine. Each question was answered via a Likert scale in which 1 corresponds to “Strongly Disagree” and 5 corresponds to “Strongly Agree.” Data are presented as average value of responses. Error bars represent standard deviation. *Statistically significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of provider and patient responses to survey questions regarding the use of telemedicine. Each question was answered via a Likert scale in which 1 corresponds to “Strongly Disagree” and 5 corresponds to “Strongly Agree.” Data are presented as average value of responses. Error bars represent standard deviation. *Statistically significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of provider and patient responses to survey questions regarding the use of telemedicine. Each question was answered via a Likert scale in which 1 corresponds to “Strongly Disagree” and 5 corresponds to “Strongly Agree.” Data are presented as average value of responses. Error bars represent standard deviation. *Statistically significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of provider and patient responses to survey questions regarding the use of telemedicine. Each question was answered via a Likert scale in which 1 corresponds to “Strongly Disagree” and 5 corresponds to “Strongly Agree.” Data are presented as average value of responses. Error bars represent standard deviation. *Statistically significant.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of provider and patient responses to survey questions regarding the use of telemedicine. Each question was answered via a Likert scale in which 1 corresponds to “Strongly Disagree” and 5 corresponds to “Strongly Agree.” Data are presented as average value of responses. Error bars represent standard deviation. *Statistically significant.
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