• Sravisht Iyer, Patawut Bovonratwet, Dino Samartzis, Andrew J Schoenfeld, Howard S An, Waleed Awwad, Scott L Blumenthal, CheungJason P YJPYDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China., Peter B Derman, Mohammad El-Sharkawi, Brett A Freedman, Roger Hartl, James D Kang, Han Jo Kim, Philip K Louie, Steven C Ludwig, Marko H Neva, Martin H Pham, Frank M Phillips, Sheeraz A Qureshi, Kris E Radcliff, K Daniel Riew, Harvinder S Sandhu, Daniel M Sciubba, Rajiv K Sethi, Marcelo Valacco, Hasan A Zaidi, Corinna C Zygourakis, and Melvin C Makhni.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021.
• Spine. 2022 Apr 15; 47 (8): 583-590.

Study DesignDelphi expert panel consensus.ObjectiveTo obtain expert consensus on best practices for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery.Summary Of Background DataSeveral studies have shown high patient satisfaction associated with telemedicine during the COVID-19 peak pandemic period as well as after easing of restrictions. As this technology will most likely continue to be employed, there is a need to define appropriate utilization.MethodsAn expert panel consisting of 27 spine surgeons from various countries was assembled in February 2021. A two-round consensus-based Delphi method was used to generate consensus statements on various aspects of telemedicine (separated as video visits or audio visits) including themes, such as patient location and impact of patient diagnosis, on assessment of new patients. Topics with ≥75% agreement were categorized as having achieved a consensus.ResultsThe expert panel reviewed a total of 59 statements. Of these, 32 achieved consensus. The panel had consensus that video visits could be utilized regardless of patient location and that video visits are appropriate for evaluating as well as indicating for surgery multiple common spine pathologies, such as lumbar stenosis, lumbar radiculopathy, and cervical radiculopathy. Finally, the panel had consensus that video visits could be appropriate for a variety of visit types including early, midterm, longer term postoperative follow-up, follow-up for imaging review, and follow-up after an intervention (i.e., physical therapy, injection).ConclusionAlthough telemedicine was initially introduced out of necessity, this technology most likely will remain due to evidence of high patient satisfaction and significant cost savings. This study was able to provide a framework for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery from a panel of experts. However, several questions remain for future research, such as whether or not an in-person consultation is necessary prior to surgery and which physical exam maneuvers are appropriate for telemedicine.Level of Evidence: 4.Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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