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Equal Access to Telemedicine during COVID ‐19 Pandemic: A Pediatric Otolaryngology Perspective

Authors :
Wen Jiang
Anthony E. Magit
Daniela Carvalho
Source :
The Laryngoscope, The Laryngoscope, vol 131, iss 5
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Wiley, 2020.

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesisDuring the current COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for direct-to-home telemedicine services has risen to an unprecedented level. Equal access to specialty care was assessed to identify potential barriers that may negatively impact telemedicine utilization.Study designRetrospective case series.MethodsWe examined the 6-week period between March and May 2020 when the only access to nonurgent pediatric otolaryngology service was through telemedicine and compared it to in-person visits during the same period in 2019. We compared patient demographics, including age, gender, preferred language, zip code of residence, and primary insurance plan.ResultsA total of 1,495 visits were conducted through telemedicine from March 23, 2020 to May 1, 2020, and 1983 in-person visits were completed in 2019. There was no difference in patient age and gender. The proportions of Spanish-speaking families were similar (15.8% in 2019 vs. 14.4% in 2020, P = .96). The percentage of Medi-Cal-insured patients (51.4% in 2019 vs. 49.8% in 2020, P = .73) and the mean poverty level (12.6% in 2019 vs. 12.2% in 2020, P = .38) also remained the same. Spanish-speaking families were statistically more likely to require rescheduling of their telemedicine visits (17.2%) when compared to the overall rescheduling rate of 11.9% (P = .0083).ConclusionsWe were able to successfully provide access to telemedicine services to our vulnerable populations during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine is likely to remain an essential mode of delivering patient care going forward. It is important to evaluate and identify potential disparities to telemedicine access and proactively implement changes to address these barriers.Level of evidence4. Laryngoscope, 131:1175-1179, 2021.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15314995 and 0023852X
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Laryngoscope
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....bffdacb06cc178f13724ad708d716ced
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.29164