Most patients who undergo routine operations prefer online postop consultations as opposed to in-person visits, as reported in Journal of the American College of Surgeons, according to Medical Xpress.
Here are five takeaways.
1. In the study, 76 percent of patients claimed online visits were sufficient as the only form of follow-up care.
2. Sixty-eight percent of participants said online and in-person visits were equally effective.
3. For the study, researchers used an online patient portal established at Vanderbilt as a means for patients to access health data and communicate with physicians.
4. After reviewing the findings, surgeons realized the benefits an online approach offers patients as well as providers.
5. Researchers understand the limitations of the study. Authors stated, "The benefits must be carefully weighed against potential detriments of using patient-generated data to provide clinical assessment, including concerns about liability, provider work burden, and modified patient-provider relationships."
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