Authors (including presenting author) :
Au KN(1), Leung CKL(1), Lao SVM(1), Ng NM(1), Lee KY(1), Lee H(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Paediatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, (2) Financial Services Division, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
Telemedicine is both effective and able to provide convenient care at a lower cost. Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, patient attendance to KWH Multi-disciplinary Paediatric Obesity Clinic was affected. We adopted a teleconsultation model since July 2020 for both our follow-up and group educational sessions.
There are a few telemedicine obesity studies and the results were associated with high patient satisfaction but no differences in weight reduction. It could also increase the number of participates in teleconsultation and could be adopted as an alternative to clinic visits. There is a German study with in-hospital residential obesity program with teleconsultation as follow up, revealing a reduction in BMI and long-term stabilization of body weight.
Objectives :
This study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, clinical effectiveness, barriers and areas of improvement of our adolescent obesity teleconsultation service, from the perspective of patients, parents and health care workers.
Methodology :
Obesity Teleconsultation Clinic patients since July 2020 were consented to participate. They and their parents were given 1) an Information technology (IT) Familiarity Questionnaire, 2) a Satisfaction survey expanded from the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ). Healthcare workers were given the Original EU Project Health Optimum Telemedicine Acceptance Questionnaire2. For clinical effectiveness, patients who had ≥3 months follow up post-teleconsultation had their % BMI change compared pre and post, using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Result & Outcome :
Results: Eighteen patients were included, 19 parents responded, of which only 9 parents personally attended the teleconsultation sessions. 10 staff (2 doctors, 5 nurses, 3 clerical and IT staff) responded. For the 13 patients with ≥3 months follow up post-teleconsultation, there was no significant difference in %BMI change pre and post. Main advantages to patients and parents were Convenience; Quicker access to care and No need contact other patients. Main concerns were Privacy of health information; Fear of unauthorized recording and Accuracy of consultation. 16/18 patients rated ease of use, likeability, ability to communicate with the doctor/ nurse, and ability to express themselves highly. Almost all patients felt that the services provided for their healthcare needs. For staff, 60% think Teleconsultation gives them more insight into patients’ diet and lifestyle; 80% think they are able to develop rapport and implement treatment plans similar to or more than in-person consultations.
Conclusion: Obesity Teleconsultation service is feasible and well received by patients, parents and staff; with no difference in clinical effectiveness. Almost all favour inclusion of Teleconsultation post-Covid. To improve teleconsultation service, we should allay patients and parents’ concerns of privacy by better reassurance of safeguards and put patients/parents at ease during the consultation
