ORTHOPAEDIC TELEMEDICINE SERVICES DURING THE CURRENT NOVEL CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the use of telemedicine by physicians specializing in orthopaedics and traumatology at the authors’ institution, and to assess the rates of satisfaction and resolution for this type of care. The current global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the expansion of telemedicine services. However, quality measures and barriers for physicians dealing with the rapid increase in patients have not been well described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 255 patients with orthopaedic complaints. Between 24 and 48 hours after the appointment, independent physicians, who did not participate in the initial appointment, contacted one another to assess the degree of satisfaction with the appointment, and whether there was a solution to the orthopaedic complaint. RESULTS: There was a need for referral for face-to-face consultation in only 13.8% of cases. When asked about the probability of recommending telemedicine to a friend/family member, the answer was 90.3%. The satisfaction rate with the service was 91.1% and 93.69% of patients would return for a telemedicine consultation. Telemedicine consultations solved the problem in 82.74% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine care in orthopaedics proved to be a service modality with a high rate of satisfaction among the patients evaluated. Level of evidence III, Retrospective cohort study.