Novel ENT Live Telehealth and Live Video-otoscopy Clinics in Remote Australia: Outcomes and Comparisons to Traditional Clinic Models

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.