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Disparities in telemedicine utilization among surgical patients during COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Courtney M Lattimore
  • William J Kane
  • Mark A Fleming II
  • Allison N Martin
  • J Hunter Mehaffey
  • Mark E Smolkin
  • Sarah J Ratcliffe
  • Victor M Zaydfudim
  • Shayna L Showalter
  • Traci L Hedrick

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine has been rapidly adopted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited work surrounding demographic and socioeconomic disparities that may exist in telemedicine utilization. This study aimed to examine demographic and socioeconomic differences in surgical patient telemedicine usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Department of Surgery outpatients seen from July 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 were stratified into three visit groups: pre-COVID-19 in-person, COVID-19 in-person, or COVID-19 telemedicine. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations of sex, race/ethnicity, Distressed Communities Index (DCI) scores, MyChart activation, and insurance status with telemedicine usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 14,792 patients (median age 60, female [57.0%], non-Hispanic White [76.4%]) contributed to 21,980 visits. Compared to visits before the pandemic, telemedicine visits during COVID-19 were more likely to be with patients from the least socioeconomically distressed communities (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.08,1.58; P = 0.005), with an activated MyChart (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17–1.64; P

Suggested Citation

  • Courtney M Lattimore & William J Kane & Mark A Fleming II & Allison N Martin & J Hunter Mehaffey & Mark E Smolkin & Sarah J Ratcliffe & Victor M Zaydfudim & Shayna L Showalter & Traci L Hedrick, 2021. "Disparities in telemedicine utilization among surgical patients during COVID-19," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0258452
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258452
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