Role and Possibilities of Telemedicine in the Management of Hemophilia Care
A team of Irish experts recently evaluated the current possibilities of telemedicine in the care of individuals with hemophilia – not only from the perspective of care provided by specialized comprehensive centers but also considering physiotherapy and dental care.
Possibilities and Limitations of Telemedicine
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced the perception of how essential care is or could be provided in various areas of medicine. This naturally includes hemophilia centers as well. The healthcare staff here also started to consider how best to utilize so-called telemedicine in practice – that is, care without the need for personal visits to the center.
By definition, it is the use of technology to provide and support healthcare remotely. This typically involves consultations using electronic means. However, this comes with potential limitations and obstacles that need to be addressed: the absence of direct contact, legal issues regarding patient privacy and data protection, ensuring the necessary technology, and instructing patients on how to use these tools.
Survey Results
The systematic evaluation of telemedicine use in European hemophilia centers was conducted based on a survey.
It was found that measures taken in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 63% reduction in in-person consultations at clinics compared to 2019. The availability of “digital care” increased by 52%. Teleconsultations improved care accessibility by 79%, reduced patient uncertainty by 82%, and were rated as user-friendly in 94% of cases. In 97% of cases, it was noted that teleconsultations facilitated good communication between the patient and the hemophilia center.
From the hemophilia center’s perspective, the staff were satisfied with telemedicine possibilities, and the majority (79%) would like to continue using this method as one of the routine care options in the future. Concerning physiotherapy, it mainly involved virtual exercise classes for individuals with hemophilia. To achieve optimal results, assessing the range of motion would certainly need to include an examination during an in-person visit as well. Similarly, teleconsultations regarding acute dental care were rated positively.
Conclusion
Care for individuals with hemophilia has largely been based on personal contact. However, the COVID-19 pandemic showed that telemedicine can also be effectively incorporated into the management of this care. An optimal care model would need to be hybrid, with the flexible possibility of including in-person patient visits between teleconsultations as needed.
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Source: O’Donovan M., Buckley C., Benson J. et al. Telehealth for delivery of haemophilia comprehensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Haemophilia 2020 Nov; 26 (6): 984–990, doi: 10.1111/hae.14156.
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