Katie Robinson is a medical freelance writer based in New York.
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August 2022Can Telehealth Help Lower the Burden?
Kamran Jafri, MD, otolaryngologist and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City, believes that the ideal scenario for otolaryngologists being put in a position to provide primary care for patients might be increased access to telemedicine and remote care. Dr. Jafri’s team has asked primary care physician colleagues to use e-consults more frequently, allowing them to ask a clinical question regarding a patient, with otolaryngologists responding via the medical record when appropriate.
“A team approach is easier to do for the benefit of the mutual patients seen. Telemedicine is increasingly being incorporated into healthcare practices and systems for day-to-day operations. These visits can help those seeking primary or specialized care from a remote location and help alleviate any burden on local systems,” he said. “Remote monitoring of labs and vitals, combined with secure transfer of images and videos taken with portable endoscopes, also streamlines care for patients. Utilizing telemedicine technology with artificial intelligence-enhanced decision making will allow general healthcare to be delivered anywhere and anytime it’s needed.
Jessica H. Maxwell MD, MPH, an associate professor and director of research in the department of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and chief of otolaryngology at the Washington, D.C., VA Medical Center, believes that this sort of partnership would greatly benefit the patient and most likely streamline the ENT clinic flow.
“One avenue we’re exploring at the VA is to incorporate an otolaryngology telehealth clinic for community VA hospitals without access to otolaryngology,” she said. “Instead of community primary care physicians referring directly to otolaryngology, they would see the patient in person with an otolaryngologist present through telehealth. This way, the patient, primary care physician, and otolaryngologist could have a dialogue about the specific issue that the patient has. In many cases, this would save patients a long commute for an issue that could be managed by their primary care physicians with the help of an otolaryngologist. It would also help educate general practitioners about otolaryngology-related disorders and facilitate the triage of patients with urgent issues to the appropriate subspecialist.”