View from the Patient Perspective: Mixed-Methods Analysis of Post-Discharge Virtual Visits in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Patient reported satisfaction levels with the use of telemedicine for general surgery—A systematic review of randomized control trials

“…The remaining 3,261 studies were screened for relevance, before 43 full texts were reviewed for eligibility. In total, 11 RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review [ 3 , 5 , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ].…”

“…Of the 14 studies included, 36.4% were conducted in North American surgical research institutes (5/11) [ 17 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 25 ], 36.4% in European surgical research (5/11) [ 3 , 5 , 20 , 23 , 24 ] and one study was conducted in a surgical research institution in New Zealand [18] . In total 28.6% (4/11) of included studies evaluated the use of telemedicine in colorectal surgery [ 3 , [20] , [21] , [22] ], and 14.3% in each of the following; on bariatric surgery (2/11) [ 17 , 18 ], Liver transplants…”

“…(2/11) [ 5 , 19 ], one evaluated general surgery as a whole [23] and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair or laparoscopic adnexal surgery (2/14) [ 24 , 25 ]. In total, 1,598 patients (mean age: 49.1, Range 24.4-65.6) were recruited and randomised, 736 to control groups (46.1%) and 862 to a telemedicine intervention group (53.9%) ( Table 1 ).…”

“…All 11 included studies used patient questionnaires to assess satisfaction [ 3 , 5 , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. Custom designed questionnaires were used in 54.5% (5/11) of studies [ 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 25 ].…”

“…All 11 included studies used patient questionnaires to assess satisfaction [ 3 , 5 , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. Custom designed questionnaires were used in 54.5% (5/11) of studies [ 17 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 25 ]. Lee et al used the Short Form 36 Quality of Life (SF 36 QoL) questionnaire, a quality of life questionnaire designed by RAND (research and development) corporation which is reliant on patients self reporting [19] .…”