Delivering High Value Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care Through Telemedicine Visits. Issue 10 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Shawn X.; Thompson, Kimberly D.; Peterson, Tracey; Huneven, Shelley; Carmichael, Jamie; Glazer, Fredric J.; Darling, Katelyn; Siegel, Corey A.
• Is Part Of: Inflammatory bowel diseases. Volume 23:Issue 10(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: telemedicine -- value -- quality outcomes -- cost of care -- patient-reported outcomes; Inflammatory bowel diseases -- Periodicals; Colitis, Ulcerative -- Periodicals; Crohn Disease -- Periodicals; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.344
• DOI: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000001210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-0998

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require regular follow-up to manage their care, which requires significant amount of time and out-of-pocket costs. Telemedicine in the form of video virtual visits could serve as an alternative to in-office visits. The aim of this project was to understand if telemedicine can provide high value care (defined as quality/cost) to outpatients with IBD. Methods: Patients who participated in the IBD telemedicine clinic in the second half of 2015 were included. Patient-reported survey data before and after the virtual visit were collected. A retrospective review was performed on the study cohort for quality outcome measures a year before and after starting the telemedicine clinic. Outcomes were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. Differences in quality outcomes were compared using odds ratios. Results: Forty-eight patients were included in the analysis. Most patients travel more than 25 miles each way, take half a day off, and on average incur an additional out-of-pocket cost of $62 for an in-office visit. Most patients (98%) agreed that there was enough time spent with their physician, 91% agreed that they felt like the physician understood their disease state, and 78% reported that they clearly understood the follow-up plan after the visit. Analysis of quality outcome measures did not show any drop in the overall quality of care, after initiating the telemedicine program. Conclusions: Telemedicine offers a low cost and convenient alternative for patients with IBD without compromising quality of care. Abstract : Article first published online 16 August 2017.