Consults conducted both virtually and asynchronously with chronic disease patients may help improve physicians' efficiency without sacrificing patient satisfaction, according to a study in Telemedicine and e-Health.
Researchers recruited 175 patients with 10 common chronic conditions at one primary care clinic. The patients were asked to complete an online questionnaire about their condition between one and four weeks after an in-person office visit. Using the information entered into the questionnaire, the physicians then decided on a course of treatment and replied to the patients online.
The patients participating in the study reported overall satisfaction with the follow-up care they received through the website. The virtual follow-ups also resulted in significant time savings for the physicians, as the questionnaires took the average physician in the study just 3.62 minutes to respond to. Physicians also reported a high level of satisfaction with the quality of care they were able to deliver through the e-visits.
More Articles on e-Visits:
Physicians' Top 5 Types of Web-Based Resources for Decision-Making Support
Sanford Health's e-Visits Aim to Deliver Convenient, Efficient Care
WellPoint's Telemedicine Service Saves Patients $71 per Visit