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Virtual care to increase military medical centre capacity in the primary health care setting: A prospective self-controlled pilot study of symptoms collection and telemedicine.
- Source :
- Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare; Sep2022, Vol. 28 Issue 8, p603-612, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- <bold>Introduction: </bold>The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recognises the potential benefits and looks to harnessing telemedicine for primary health care services. In this prospective self-controlled pilot study, we aimed to evaluate the safety, efficiency and user satisfaction outcomes of virtual care (VC) at a military medical centre.<bold>Methods: </bold>Out of 320 patients seen during the study period, 28 were enrolled in this study and underwent on-premises VC, comprising digital symptoms collection and telemedicine in addition to the usual in-person physician consultation. Safety outcomes were measured based on the diagnostic concordance between physicians. Efficiency was measured based on consultation times, and user satisfaction was evaluated using a standard questionnaire.<bold>Results: </bold>There was a higher caseload of both upper respiratory infections and dermatological conditions in our population, in which telemedicine performed well. In terms of safety, telemedicine achieved a mean diagnostic concordance of 92.8% compared to in-person consultations. In terms of efficiency, consultation times were 26.2% - or 2 minutes and 15 seconds - shorter on average with telemedicine (pā=ā0.0488). User satisfaction was favourable, with 85.5% of patients satisfied with the VC experience.<bold>Discussion: </bold>This study has been invaluable in showing that on-premises telemedicine is a safe, efficient and effective means to extend and increase our surge capacity for primary health care. Our results have given us reasonable confidence to explore a larger-scale implementation in our network of military medical centres in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1357633X
- Volume :
- 28
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 158425537
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X20959579