Virtual Visits (Utilization of Virtual Care in Postoperative Patients to Improve the Patient Experience)
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Gastrointestinal |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Gastroenterology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 90 |
| Updated: | 4/6/2019 |
| Start Date: | August 18, 2017 |
| End Date: | August 2020 |
| Contact: | Nicole Kaiser |
| Email: | nicole.kaiser@carolinashealthcare.org |
| Phone: | 704-355-7630 |
Utilization of Virtual Care in Postoperative Patients to Improve the Patient Experience
The purpose of this study is to implement and evaluate postoperative virtual care visits for
patients who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or robotic
cholecystectomy. The investigators aim to better understand whether postoperative virtual
care visits will not result in a greater composite measure of the occurrence of hospital
encounters within Atrium Health (AH) for the 30 days following surgery than standard
in-person clinic care. The investigators also aim to better understand whether postoperative
virtual care visits provide time and cost savings, and provide equal or improved patient
satisfaction and convenience.
patients who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or robotic
cholecystectomy. The investigators aim to better understand whether postoperative virtual
care visits will not result in a greater composite measure of the occurrence of hospital
encounters within Atrium Health (AH) for the 30 days following surgery than standard
in-person clinic care. The investigators also aim to better understand whether postoperative
virtual care visits provide time and cost savings, and provide equal or improved patient
satisfaction and convenience.
Participants will be randomized to complete either a postoperative follow-up visit using
virtual care technology or by attending a standard in-person visit at the clinic. The virtual
visit uses a camera-enabled device and internet access to provide live access to the medical
professional. Surveys to assess patient satisfaction and convenience will be administered by
email on the day of the postoperative follow-up visit. Additional information including
demographics, hospital encounters within 30 days of surgery, length of time of the follow-up
visit, travel cost and time, whether additional follow-up care is required, and complications
after surgery will be collected to evaluate postoperative virtual care visits. Subject
participation in the study will end after follow-up care is complete or at 30 days, whichever
occurs last.
virtual care technology or by attending a standard in-person visit at the clinic. The virtual
visit uses a camera-enabled device and internet access to provide live access to the medical
professional. Surveys to assess patient satisfaction and convenience will be administered by
email on the day of the postoperative follow-up visit. Additional information including
demographics, hospital encounters within 30 days of surgery, length of time of the follow-up
visit, travel cost and time, whether additional follow-up care is required, and complications
after surgery will be collected to evaluate postoperative virtual care visits. Subject
participation in the study will end after follow-up care is complete or at 30 days, whichever
occurs last.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the
study
- English speaking
- Able to read
- Have an email address
- Scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or
robotic cholecystectomy OR have undergone an unplanned (urgent or emergent)
laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or robotic cholecystectomy
- Have surgery performed by a surgeon at either Carolinas Medical Center-Main or
Carolinas Medical Center- Mercy who provides emergency general surgery clinical
coverage
- Live in North Carolina
Exclusion Criteria:
- Unable to complete a virtual visit (due to lack of appropriate technology, necessary
technology skills, other);
- Medical condition, laboratory finding, or physical exam finding that precludes
participation (patients at high risk for complications, particularly those with
perforated appendicitis)
- Postoperative length of stay greater than or equal to 4 days
- Discharged with drains that need to be removed at a postoperative visit
- Admitted from or discharged to assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, or
location other than home
- Have chronic pain for which the participant takes narcotic medication
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