Mp02-08 Telehealth in Urology Beyond Covid-19

You have accessJournal of UrologyHealth Services Research: Quality Improvement & Patient Safety I (MP02)1 May 2024MP02-08 TELEHEALTH IN UROLOGY BEYOND COVID-19 Sydney Strup, Kate Kraft, Amanda North, Eugene Rhee, Lisa Finkelstein, Aaron Spitz, Parth Modi, Jacob Thatcher, and Andrew Harris Sydney StrupSydney Strup , Kate KraftKate Kraft , Amanda NorthAmanda North , Eugene RheeEugene Rhee , Lisa FinkelsteinLisa Finkelstein , Aaron SpitzAaron Spitz , Parth ModiParth Modi , Jacob ThatcherJacob Thatcher , and Andrew HarrisAndrew Harris View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001008600.97797.3b.08AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Implementation of telehealth (TH) accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has become a vital part of healthcare delivery. As we move towards the post COVID era, clinical practice has demonstrated a need for updated policies and quality improvement to solidify the role of TH in the urology care setting. The AUA census data was used to explore trends, benefits, and barriers to urology TH implementation. METHODS: The AUA Workforce Workgroup and Telehealth Taskforce analyzed data from the 2019-2022 AUA census. Pertinent variables included utilization, patient satisfaction, care settings, quality, and diagnoses amenable to TH. RESULTS: Pre-COVID TH utilization increased from 11.9% to 94% during and post-COVID. TH is predominately used in metropolitan academic centers, with usage increasing from 12.8% to 66.7% in these areas during the pandemic. Usage also increased in rural areas from 3.8% to 42.3%. 72.7% reporting increased ease of scheduling follow-ups, ordering tests, and accessing patient data. TH utilization increased from 42.4% to 65% for initial visits and 66.8% to 82% for follow-up visits. 65% of patients and 88.2% of practicing urologists under the age of 54 desire the use of telemedicine. TH increased patient access to care by 51.6%, and 54% of urologists expressed desire to continue using or increase utilization of TH. The top three barriers of patient's ability to receive telemedicine were 67.6% noting lack of knowledge in using patient portal/software needed for telemedicine visits, 49.4% had lack of adequate conferencing tools, and 43.9% lacked high-speed internet service to enable video visits. 53.4% of urologists would absolutely or probably increase usage if payment parity of telehealth was comparable to in-office E/M services. CONCLUSIONS: TH implementation accelerated during the COVID-19 era. In the post COVID era TH continues to be valued across multiple areas including patient and physician satisfaction, and increased access to care, particularly in rural areas. Barriers exist, especially concerning payment parity, and could be eliminated through advocacy for policy updates and standardization of technology. Download PPT Source of Funding: No funding to disclose © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e15 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Sydney Strup More articles by this author Kate Kraft More articles by this author Amanda North More articles by this author Eugene Rhee More articles by this author Lisa Finkelstein More articles by this author Aaron Spitz More articles by this author Parth Modi More articles by this author Jacob Thatcher More articles by this author Andrew Harris More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...