No difference in quality between preop telemedicine, in-person visits

Editor's Note

This study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, finds no difference in quality of shared decision making in surgical patients having preoperative in-person vs telemedicine visits.

Of 387 patients who were scheduled for surgery between May 2021 and June 2022, 301 had in-person visits and 86 had telemedicine visits.

Both groups reported high levels of communication quality during visits. Levels of shared decision making and communication quality were similar between telemedicine and in-person visits.

Patients praised the convenience and usefulness of telemedicine visits, but the researchers received some negative comments about technical issues and not being physically present with a doctor.