The use of telemedicine for sports medicine appointments saves pediatric patients time and money, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition in Chicago.
A research team out of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Nemours Children's Health System collected information from 120 patients at a pediatric sports medicine practice who had at least one telemedicine visit between September 2015 and August 2016.
The researchers compared the practice's telemedicine and in-person appointments on total visit time, percentage of time spent with provider and wait time, among other information. These appointments comprised postoperative evaluations, imaging and surgical discussions and follow-up visits.
Here are four of their findings.
1. A typical patient spent 88 percent of a visit with his or her provider during a telemedicine appointment, compared to 15 percent of the visit during in-person appointments.
2. Each telemedicine visit saved the health system an average of $24 per patient.
3. Each patient saved an average of $50 in travel costs and 51 minutes in wait time per visit.
4. Ninety-eight percent of patients who used telemedicine indicated they would be interested in future virtual visits, according to a post-appointment survey at the practice. Ninety-nine percent said they would recommend telemedicine to other families.