{Reference Type}: English Abstract
{Title}: [Teleconsultation in a coloproctology unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary results].
{Author}: Muñoz-Duyos A;Abarca-Alvarado N;Lagares-Tena L;Sobrerroca L;Costa D;Boada M;Ureña D;Delgado-Rivilla S;
{Journal}: Cir Esp
{Volume}: 99
{Issue}: 5
{Year}: 2021 May
{Factor}: 2.242
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.ciresp.2020.06.019
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>During the state of alarm established in Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the face-to-face outpatient consultations were cancelled and a telephone consultation was established to follow up coloproctological patients. The objective of this study was to analyse the efficacy of telemedicine (by telephone) in monitoring patients in a coloproctology unit, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Prospective descriptive study of consecutive patients in a single centre. The result of the teleconsultation was classified as discharge, resolved visit or reprogramming and was analysed by different diagnostic groups.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>From March 19th to April 17th, 2020, the teleconsultation of 190 patients was carried out. The response rate was 94.2% (179). The diagnostic categories of the patients attended were: 51 (26.9%) colorectal neoplasia, 48 (25.3%) proctological pathology, 72 (37.9%) pelvic floor dysfunctions and 19 (10%) other benign pathologies. 105 (55.26%) could be recited as if they had come in person. Eleven (5.8%) patients were discharged. No significant differences were found between the different diagnostic categories and the resolution of the teleconsultation. The reasons for reprogramming are analyzed in the study.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>In the context of a pandemic, teleconsultation has allowed 61% of follow-up visits to be definitively solved, avoiding the reprogramming of 116 patients. The new social and health paradigm after the pandemic will require a rethinking of our healthcare model, and in many aspects, telemedicine can offer tools for this.