Our Summary

This study looked at how satisfied patients and surgeons were with telehealth visits for hand surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. They asked all patients who had a telemedicine visit for hand surgery during a one-month period to complete a survey, and they also asked the surgeons who conducted these visits to complete a separate survey.

The results showed that both patients and surgeons were quite satisfied with the telemedicine visits. Patients rated their satisfaction at 4.21 out of 5, and surgeons rated their satisfaction a little lower, at 4.0 out of 5. Patients who found it very easy to set up the telemedicine visits and who felt they could ask questions and express their concerns very effectively were much more likely to be satisfied with their visit.

All of the surgeons said they would continue to use telemedicine, and about a third of patients said they would choose telemedicine over an in-person visit. However, most patients still prefer in-person visits after the pandemic. The study concludes that telemedicine seems to be a good way to provide healthcare, with both patients and doctors generally satisfied with the experience.

FAQs

  1. How satisfied were patients and surgeons with telemedicine visits for hand surgery during the study period?
  2. What factors contributed to higher patient satisfaction with telemedicine visits for hand surgery?
  3. Would patients and surgeons continue to use telemedicine for hand surgery visits after the pandemic?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hand surgery is to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and recovery. This may include keeping the incision site clean and dry, doing prescribed exercises or physical therapy, wearing a splint or brace as directed, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It’s important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your doctor promptly to ensure the best possible outcome.

Suitable For

Patients who are recommended hand surgery typically have conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tendon injuries, arthritis, fractures, nerve compression, and other hand and wrist injuries or conditions that require surgical intervention. Hand surgery may be recommended for patients who have not responded well to non-surgical treatments or who have severe or debilitating symptoms affecting their hand function and quality of life.

Timeline

Before hand surgery:

  • Patient experiences symptoms or injury that requires hand surgery
  • Patient schedules an appointment with a hand surgeon
  • Patient undergoes a consultation and examination with the surgeon
  • Surgeon determines that hand surgery is necessary and schedules the procedure
  • Patient prepares for surgery by following pre-operative instructions

After hand surgery:

  • Patient undergoes hand surgery procedure
  • Patient is monitored in the recovery room before being discharged
  • Patient follows post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon
  • Patient attends follow-up appointments with the surgeon for check-ups and to monitor healing progress
  • Patient undergoes physical therapy or rehabilitation as needed to regain function and strength in the hand
  • Patient gradually resumes daily activities and work as advised by the surgeon
  • Patient continues to attend follow-up appointments as needed for ongoing care and monitoring.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hand surgery include:

  1. What specific type of hand surgery do you recommend for my condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery process expected to be, and what can I do to promote healing?
  4. Will I need physical therapy or other forms of rehabilitation after the surgery?
  5. What are the expected outcomes of the surgery in terms of pain relief and improved function?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before undergoing surgery?
  7. How many times have you performed this particular type of hand surgery, and what is your success rate?
  8. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery, and what are the potential side effects?
  9. How long will the surgery take, and will I need to stay in the hospital overnight?
  10. What can I expect in terms of follow-up care and appointments after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Moses MJ, Buchalter DB, Azad A, Hacquebord JH, Paksima N, Yang SS. Journal: J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2021 Dec;26(4):705-715. doi: 10.1142/S2424835521500685. PMID: 34789099