This study evaluated engagement with a postoperative week-1 follow-up phone call, assessing safety, cost and travel savings. Electronic medical records of children (<18 years) having undergone strabismus surgery with a single surgeon during a 4-year period, were reviewed. Patients were grouped depending on the type of follow-up appointment they had received postoperatively: in-person at week 1 or standardised questionnaire completed during a phone call with a nurse within 2 weeks. All patients were offered a postoperative month-3 follow-up visit in-person. The following data was extracted from the medical records: demographics, unilateral/bilateral surgery, number of ocular muscles involved, initial postoperative appointment date, number of interim visits, month-3 follow-up appointment date, follow-up outcomes and complications. A total of 370 patients were included in the study analysis, of which 188 attended in-person at 1 week postoperatively and 182 received a follow-up phone call. Of the patients receiving phone calls, 2 patients reported complications and subsequently attended in-person, an additional 9 patients attended in person prior to their 3-month follow-up, not all which were related to the strabismus surgery. No significant difference was found in the proportion of successful initial postoperative visits between in-person and phone delivery. The complication rate reported across the 2 appointment delivery methods was also found not to be significantly different. No missed complications were discovered at the 3-month follow-up visit for either group. Using phone call postoperative follow-up had an 81% cost-saving for the healthcare organisation. A significant distance of travel was saved for the patient and carer by using phone calls for initial postoperative follow-up. The authors accept several limitations to the study including the retrospective methodology and the limited data source from 1 surgeon. This study has highlighted that a change brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic is safe, has utility and is cost-saving for the healthcare organisation and the patient.
Comparison of in-person and telephone appointments for week 1 postoperative follow-up
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth
Utility, safety, and accessibility of phone call follow-up in strabismus surgery postoperative care.
CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren R Hepworth
University of Liverpool; Honorary Stroke Specialist Clinical Orthoptist, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; St Helen’s and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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