Telemedicine in orthopaedics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative landscape
International Orthopaedics, 2024
Vani Sabesan, Feyikemi Ogunfuwa, Joel Grunhut, Shad Sommerville, Clyde Fomunung, Justin Elkhechen, Carlos Fernandez, Alessia Lavin, Garrett R Jackson
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In brief
We compared telemedicine use in orthopaedic surgery with oncology, rheumatology and family medicine across every 2020 visit at one large institution, tracking how virtual care surged and receded during the first year of COVID-19.
Key findings
Orthopaedic virtual visits rose from zero in early 2020 to a peak of 33.5% of all visits in April 2020 (oncology 25.5%, rheumatology 92.9%, family medicine 94%).
By December 2020 orthopaedic virtual visits fell back to 6.5%, compared with 7.0% for oncology, 17.4% for family medicine and 26.2% for rheumatology.
Orthopaedic surgeons in practice more than 20 years had the highest average virtual visit rates.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis on observed trends regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telemedicine application in orthopaedics compared to other procedural, non-emergent specialties. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all telemedicine and in-person visits at a large single institution from January to December 2020. The number of patient visits, visit type, location, and provider specifics were collected. Comparisons were made between subspecialties (orthopaedic surgery, oncology, family medicine, rheumatology) for analyses. RESULTS: All specialties included were not conducting virtual visits at the beginning of 2020. By April 2020, orthopaedic virtual visits spiked to an all-time high of 33.5% of all patient visits as compared to oncology at 25.5%, rheumatology at 92.9%, and family medicine at 94%. By the end of the study period, orthopaedic virtual visits decreased back down to 6.5% of patient visits compared to oncology at 7.0%, and family medicine (17.4%) and rheumatology (26.2%). Orthopaedic providers practicing greater than 20 years had the highest average virtual visit rates. CONCLUSION: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has posed unique challenges for healthcare providers, there was a great advancement in the rollout and application of telemedicine. To mitigate the spread of infection from coronavirus and given the recent adjustments to reimbursement policies and HIPAA regulations, orthopaedics saw a dramatic expansion of telemedicine since April 2020. The pandemic may have served as a catalyst to adopt telehealth into clinical practice. However, telehealth saw a downtrend trend by December 2020, particularly in procedure-based fields like orthopaedics and oncology.
How to cite
Sabesan V, Ogunfuwa F, Grunhut J, Sommerville S, Fomunung C, Elkhechen J, et al. Telemedicine in orthopaedics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative landscape. Int Orthop. 2024;48(5):1149-1155. doi:10.1007/s00264-024-06098-4