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Survey of Telemedicine by Pediatric Nephrologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kidney International Reports
  • Rupesh Raina, Akron Children's Hospital
  • Nikhil Nair, Case Western Reserve University
  • Hui Kim Yap, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
  • Guido Filler, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
  • Sidharth K. Sethi, Medicity Hospital
  • Arvind Bagga, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
  • Pankaj Hari, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
  • Timothy Bunchman, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Sharon Bartosh, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
  • Katherine Twombley, Medical University of South Carolina
  • Gaurav Kapur, Children's Hospital of Michigan
  • Mignon McCulloch, University of Cape Town
  • Bradley A. Warady, Children's Mercy Kansas City
  • Maria Díaz-González de Ferris, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Sarah Rush, Akron Children's Hospital
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2021
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/j.ekir.2021.06.026
Abstract

Introduction: The slow increase in use of telemedicine began to expand rapidly, along with reimbursement changes, during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Standardized protocols for these services are lacking but are needed for effective and equitable health care. In this study, we queried pediatric nephrologists and their patients about their telemedicine experiences during the pandemic. Methods: Surveys that were in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act were deployed online to patients and physicians. Results: We collected survey responses from 400 patients and 197 pediatric nephrologists. Patients reported positive experiences with telemedicine visits as it was logistically easier than in-person visits. Patients also felt that the quality of their visits were equivalent to what they would receive in person. Physicians used a wide variety of online systems to conduct synchronous telemedicine with Zoom (23%), EPIC (9%), Doxy.me (7%), services not specified (37%), or a mix of local or smaller services (24%). Most physicians' concerns were related to technological issues and the ability to procure physical exams and/or laboratory results. Conclusions: There is a paucity of published trials on telemedicine services in pediatric nephrology. Virtual care was feasible and acceptable for patients, caregivers, and providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citation Information
Rupesh Raina, Nikhil Nair, Hui Kim Yap, Guido Filler, et al.. "Survey of Telemedicine by Pediatric Nephrologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic" Kidney International Reports Vol. 6 Iss. 9 (2021) p. 2316 - 2322
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/guido-filler/105/