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. 2024 Jul;176(1):115-123.
doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2024.03.033. Epub 2024 May 10.

Attitudes and barriers toward video visits in surgical care: Insights from a nationwide survey among surgeons

Ashwin J Kulkarni  1 , Anagha B Thiagarajan  2 , Ted A Skolarus  3 , Sarah L Krein  4 , Chad Ellimoottil  5
Affiliations

Attitudes and barriers toward video visits in surgical care: Insights from a nationwide survey among surgeons

Ashwin J Kulkarni et al. Surgery. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Surgeons rapidly adopted video visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, video visit use among surgeons has significantly declined, pointing to the need to better understand current attitudes and barriers to their use in surgical care.

Methods: From August 2022 to March 2023, a nationwide survey was conducted among practicing surgeons in 6 specialties. The survey included multiple-choice and free-response questions based on an implementation determinants framework, covering demographics, provider, patient, and organizational factors.

Results: A total of 170 surgeons responded (24% response rate). Overall, 67% of surgeons said their practice lacked motivation for video visit implementation. Additionally, 69% disagreed with using video visits as the sole means for preoperative surgical consultation, even with relevant medical history, labs, and imaging. Nearly 43% cited the need for a physical examination, whereas 58% of surgeons said video visits carried a greater malpractice risk than in-person visits. Other barriers included technological limitations, billing, and care quality concerns. Nevertheless, 41% agreed that video visits could improve outcomes for some patients, and 60% expressed openness to using video visits exclusively for postoperative consultations in uncomplicated surgeries.

Conclusion: Surgeons recognize the potential benefits of video visits for certain patients. However, perceived barriers include the need for a physical examination, technological limitations, care quality concerns, and malpractice risks.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Survey respondents hail from a variety of specialties and practice types
Figure 2
Figure 2
Surgeons stress patient, organization, and legal barriers to video visit adoption
Figure 3
Figure 3
Surgeons express skepticism about video visits as sole means for Pre-Op consultation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Surgeons are more comfortable with video visits for Post-Op consultation
Figure 5
Figure 5
Surgeons believed their peer physicians were most likely to be hesitant to expand video visit use
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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