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Prospective evaluation of a virtual urology outpatient clinic

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Outpatient department (OPD) clinics account for a significant proportion of healthcare expenditure. We report on a pilot study of a virtual outpatient clinic (VC) for urology patients as an alternative to a general urology clinic review.

Aims

The study aims to assess the safety and cost-effectiveness of a virtual clinic as an alternative to general OPD review.

Methods

A prospective study performed between March 2015 and December 2015 investigated the effectiveness of a VC in our institution. Eligible patients were recruited from general urology outpatient visits, from medical team members and from general practitioners (GP). Data recorded on each VC review included patient demographics, indication for referral to VC, outcome of VC and method of communication with the patient and their GP after the VC.

Results

Three hundred eighty-five patients were registered for the VC. Indications for referral included review of imaging results (n = 136), doctor or patient query (n = 112) and review of laboratory results (n = 67). Outcomes after VC review included general OPD follow-up (n = 134), discharge from urology care (n = 39), referral for urological intervention (n = 29) and referral for radiological investigation (n = 23). VC review prevented 217 OPD clinic visits, saved €17,360 and provided a failsafe mechanism for reviewing investigation results. Two patients booked for OPD review following VC review did not receive appointments.

Conclusions

Virtual clinic is a safe and cost-effective alternative to general OPD review in appropriately selected patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland

    C. Browne, N. F. Davis, E. D. Mac Craith, G. M. Lennon, D. J. Galvin & D. W. Mulvin

Authors
  1. C. Browne
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  2. N. F. Davis
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  3. E. D. Mac Craith
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  4. G. M. Lennon
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  5. D. J. Galvin
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  6. D. W. Mulvin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Browne.

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Conflict of interest

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study has been approved by the Clinical Audit Committee in St Vincent’s Universtiy Hospital.

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Browne, C., Davis, N.F., Mac Craith, E.D. et al. Prospective evaluation of a virtual urology outpatient clinic. Ir J Med Sci 187, 251–254 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1615-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1615-y

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