Telemedicine is here to Stay: Success and Utility of Video Consultations in Neonatology

Abstract

Background and Objectives: “Synchronous videoconference telemedicine in neonatal office-practice” (SyNTOP) has been a routine practice in our center since the start of the COVID-19-related lockdown. We recently reported our experience with the “success” of this practice in terms of removing the need to visit the hospital over the next 48 h after the teleconsult. Methods: Secondary results of this retrospective descriptive study which analyzed 829 consults are presented in this manuscript. Data from electronic medical records of those who availed teleconsultation facility between March 2020 and April 2021 were retrieved. Relevant information about clinical presentation, findings from the video call, demographic information, decisions made by the clinician, and outcomes were collected. Best efforts were made to obtain follow-up information by the clinical team or guest–patient relations officers. Results: Fever (n = 118) and acute diarrheal disease (n = 58) were the common presenting complaints; most (80.5% and 95.5%, respectively) were resolved without physical examination; 265 developmental assessments were completed by video-facilitated checks. Fast-track vaccination visits where queries were resolved and bills paid online, were an innovation where well babies could avoid queues and possible exposure to crowds. One-fourths of SyNTOP were from outside the district, and 1.4% were from foreign countries. Conclusions: Teleconsults were successfully conducted in neonatal office practice for different health-care enquiries. Strategies such as fast-track vaccinations and online developmental follow-up assessments were performed by leveraging technology. We highlight the benefits of these innovations in our center with a view to enhance their uptake elsewhere. Such approaches have the potential to increase health equity and access to specialty health care.

Keywords

• covid-19 lockdown
• pediatric office practice
• telemedicine