• Álvaro José Morales P, José Ignacio Torrealba F, Michel Bergoeing R, Leopoldo Mariné M, Renato Mertens M, Francisco valdÉs E, and José Francisco Vargas S.
• Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
• Rev Med Chil. 2022 May 1; 150 (5): 611617611-617.

BackgroundTelemedicine became a relevant means to provide healthcare without face-to-face medical evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic.AimTo describe the effectiveness of telemedicine in vascular surgery.Materials And MethodsReview of medical records of all vascular surgery consultations carried out in a clinical hospital between April and October 2020. The main outcome measured was the resolution of the reason for consultation. Secondary outcomes were the need to request laboratory tests or imaging, the need to evaluate the patient in person, and the need for referral to hospitalization or emergency service.ResultsOne hundred-six new consultations and their follow-up (remotely or in person) were analyzed. A definitive diagnosis could be reached in 74% of consultations, treatment could be instituted or modified in 69% of them, and the reason for consultation could be resolved in 74% of cases. Laboratory and imaging tests were requested in 36 and 63% of consultations, respectively. Four percent of patients were referred to the emergency department or hospitalization.ConclusionsIn the vast majority of consultations, it was possible to achieve a definitive diagnosis, prescribe a treatment and resolve the reason for consultation without the need for a face-to-face medical evaluation.

6 keywords...

hide…