#3865 Telemedicine in Nephrology: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence has been increasing and estimates show it will be the fifth leading cause of lost life years worldwide by 2040. CKD patients should be evaluated by Nephrology even in early stages of disease, but patients substantially outnumber nephrologists. Telemedicine consists of delivery of health-care services and information from distant locations and its utility has been largely demonstrated in CKD patients. In our centre, teleconsultation began being used to support requests from family doctors regarding CKD patients that are at that point stable and in an early stage of their disease. Method Since January 2020 and December 2022, 456 patients were evaluated using teleconsultation. Their demographical characteristics and the savings on dislocation cost, based on the price per kilometre, were analysed. In addition, a questionnaire about the use and utility of telenephrology was shared through general practice centres. Results From 456 patients, 43% male and 57% female, with an average age of 78 years. One out of five patients were dependent for daily life activities. On average, the patients lived within 22kms of the hospital, the maximal distance was 540kms. Based on this data we estimate 6660 euros savings on dislocation costs alone. A total of 47 general medicine doctors answered the survey, out of which 21% were male, with an average age of 40 years, 23% had under 5 years of experience, 26% had between 5 and 10 years of experience, 26% between 11 and 15 and the remaining over 16 years of experience. Around 70% had never used the teleconsultation, the majority of which due to lack of knowledge of this possibility. In the group that had used it, 77% were satisfied with the patient's orientation and 85% would consider using it again. Most of the general practitioners (62%) had referenced patients between 2 and 5 times. A fast answer to the request was the most frequently pointed advantage and the time between request and patient orientation was considered appropriate. Conclusion From this data, we conclude that telenephrology is not well known among family doctors in Portugal, yet it has the potential to reduce the distance between patients and nephrologists and build bridges between different areas of specialisation. It will also allow for cost reduction, a matter more pressing each day, and to increase patients comfort by reducing unnecessary hospital visits.