Feasibility and acceptability of a telemedicine triage model among Medicaid patients with low back pain referred to a spine center.
Feasibility
Low-back
Medicaid
Nonoperative
Spine
Telehealth
Triage
Journal
North American Spine Society journal
ISSN: 2666-5484
Titre abrégé: N Am Spine Soc J
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9918335076906676
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jun 2023
Jun 2023
Historique:
received:
11
11
2022
revised:
18
01
2023
accepted:
18
01
2023
medline:
4
4
2023
entrez:
3
4
2023
pubmed:
4
4
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The data for primary triage via telemedicine for spine related conditions are sparse but has potential to improve access, quality of care, and offer significant cost savings for Medicaid insured patients who have very limited access to care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a telehealth triage framework using synchronous video conferencing appointments. This is a prospective cohort feasibility study conducted within an academic spine center in the United States. Participants include Medicaid insured patients referred to an academic spine center for low back pain. We collected demographic information, a spine red flag survey, a patient satisfaction survey and demand and implementation feasibility metrics. Participants completed a demographic and red-flag survey followed by a telehealth spine appointment with a physiatrist. Immediately after the appointment, the participant completed a satisfaction survey. Nineteen patients met inclusion criteria but declined telehealth either due to preference for in-person appointment or lack of comfort with technology. Thirty-three participants enrolled and attended their initial telehealth appointment. Few participants reporting 1 or more red flag symptom also screened positive during their subsequent telehealth evaluation with the physician (n=7/28). Participant satisfaction was high across all domains including ease of scheduling, efficiency of virtual check in, ability to report their symptoms fully and accurately to the provider, imaging review, explanation of diagnosis and treatment plan. Most participants (n=19/20, 95%) would recommend an initial telehealth appointment. The telehealth framework used was feasible and provided an acceptable form of care for Medicaid patients who were interested and able to participate in this form of care. Our acceptability results are promising but should be interpreted with caution given the proportion of patients who declined to participate.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
The data for primary triage via telemedicine for spine related conditions are sparse but has potential to improve access, quality of care, and offer significant cost savings for Medicaid insured patients who have very limited access to care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a telehealth triage framework using synchronous video conferencing appointments.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
This is a prospective cohort feasibility study conducted within an academic spine center in the United States. Participants include Medicaid insured patients referred to an academic spine center for low back pain. We collected demographic information, a spine red flag survey, a patient satisfaction survey and demand and implementation feasibility metrics. Participants completed a demographic and red-flag survey followed by a telehealth spine appointment with a physiatrist. Immediately after the appointment, the participant completed a satisfaction survey.
Results
UNASSIGNED
Nineteen patients met inclusion criteria but declined telehealth either due to preference for in-person appointment or lack of comfort with technology. Thirty-three participants enrolled and attended their initial telehealth appointment. Few participants reporting 1 or more red flag symptom also screened positive during their subsequent telehealth evaluation with the physician (n=7/28). Participant satisfaction was high across all domains including ease of scheduling, efficiency of virtual check in, ability to report their symptoms fully and accurately to the provider, imaging review, explanation of diagnosis and treatment plan. Most participants (n=19/20, 95%) would recommend an initial telehealth appointment.
Conclusions
UNASSIGNED
The telehealth framework used was feasible and provided an acceptable form of care for Medicaid patients who were interested and able to participate in this form of care. Our acceptability results are promising but should be interpreted with caution given the proportion of patients who declined to participate.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37008515
doi: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2023.100200
pii: S2666-5484(23)00002-1
pmc: PMC10050782
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
100200Informations de copyright
© 2023 The Author(s).
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper
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