(378) Persistence of Telemedicine in Post-Pandemic Otolaryngology

Introduction: While some report limited use of telemedicine as our profession moves past the height of the pandemic, our Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery has maintained a thriving telemedicine practice. The purpose of this study is to share ways telemedicine can be offered.

Methods: We performed a retrospective qualitative review of clinic notes of the fifteen most commonly seen diagnoses via telehealth during January 2020-May 2022. Thirty telemedicine and ten in-person visits were analyzed for each diagnosis, for a total of 450 unique telemedicine and 150 in-person visits for comparison. Data documented included pertinent physical exam findings, utilization of technology to aid the physical exam (for telemedicine visits)/aspects of in-person visits unable to be conducted virtually, and assessment/plan. This data was combined with clinical insight and experience to assess the utility of telemedicine.

Results: The most suitable clinical scenarios for telemedicine are those in which a physical exam may be easily conducted via video camera or will not change clinical management. New consultations for sleep disordered breathing in children, chronic sinusitis, epistaxis, recurrent tonsillitis, and chronic rhinitis were amenable diagnoses to evaluate using telemedicine. We also found post-operative tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy visits and laceration repair in pediatric and adult populations were well received as a telehealth option.

Conclusions: While the physical exam is the main limitation of telehealth, our experience has been that an in-person physical exam may be unnecessary in certain situations. Patients continue to request telemedicine as an option for evaluation. Therefore, we strongly support the use of telemedicine in the appropriate clinical scenarios.