AN INTEGRATED CARE MODEL BASED ON HOSPITAL AND HOME DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: TELEHEALTH
Objective: In this study, we aimed to present the details of a successfully implemented telehealth model in a university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (IFM) is a university hospital where the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Turkey was...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Istanbul University Press
2022-01-01
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| Series: | İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/D25F7542D7D04786B8AE8E5B723AB69A |
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| Summary: | Objective: In this study, we aimed to present the details of a successfully implemented telehealth model in a university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (IFM) is a university hospital where the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Turkey was detected. In IFM, patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and received outpatient or inpatient treatment were followed up by telehealth for 21-28 days after leaving the hospital. The distinguishing features of this service are the provision of remote outpatient clinical monitoring personally by physicians and the use of web-based IP information technologies. Results: Between March 15 and July 1, 2020, 1,042 individuals were followed up at least once, 860 patients for 21 days or more by the 26 physicians providing the telehealth service. A total of 11,736 calls were made by the physicians and 7,342 of those calls were answered and a total of 1,086 calls were made by patients. The median number of calls per patient was 4 (1-23). The median duration of the completed calls was 2.8 min (<1–50 min). During these follow-ups patients were informed about the importance of isolation. Most of the patients expressed their satisfaction with these follow-ups by thanking the calling physician. Conclusion: In a pandemic such as COVID-19, telehealth services may increase adherence to treatment and isolation precautions among patients with diseases that require follow-up without hospitalization after diagnosis. Telehealth will facilitate early recognition of symptoms that may require hospitalization, ensuring these patients receive the care they need. Therefore, this approach should be widely adopted. |
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| ISSN: | 1305-6441 |