Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 challenged the delivery of healthcare in Australia, disproportionately impacting vulnerable patients including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island (ATSI) people and those living in remote regions. The Otolaryngology service provided to remote Western Australia adapted to these barriers by altering clinical consultations to a digital model. Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients reviewed in regional Western Australia. Demographics and clinical outcomes from 20 live telehealth clinics were retrospectively reviewed and compared to 16 face-to-face clinics. Results: The demographics of patients reviewed in both live telehealth and face-to-face were similar, except for a larger proportion of ATSI patients utilising telehealth. The outcomes of patients reviewed through each model of care were comparable. Live video-otoscopy provided diagnostic quality images in 92% of cases. Conclusion: The findings of our review suggest that despite its limitations, a large proportion of ENT patients may be safely assessed through a live telehealth model.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 253-257 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Laryngology and Otology |
Volume | 138 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 12 Sept 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Mar 2024 |