Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Dec 29, 2021
Date Accepted: Aug 31, 2022
Emergency Visits and Hospitalization after Message Chat, Voice Call, or Video Call for Telehealth in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Telehealth Service User Data in Japan
ABSTRACT
Background:
Synchronous telehealth services via message chat, voice calls, and video calls are increasingly being equipped with obstetric and gynecologic practices and have the potential to improve healthcare accessibility and clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, differences in clinical outcomes between communication tools remain unknown, especially in terms of safety.
Objective:
This study compared the occurrence of emergency visits and hospitalization after telehealth services through different communication tools, including message chat, voice calls, and video calls.
Methods:
We collected data on obstetric and gynecologic concerns of women who consulted specialized doctors and midwives through a telehealth consulting service in Japan (Sanfujin-ka Online) between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. The outcome was emergency visits or hospitalization at night after the consultation. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to compare the clinical outcomes between the groups who received telehealth services via message chats, voice calls, and video calls.
Results:
This study included 3,635 eligible participants. The mean age was 31.4 years old, and the largest age group was 30–39 years old (59.3%). The numbers (proportions) of those who received telehealth services via message chat, voice calls, and video calls were 1,584 (43.5%), 1,947 (53.6%), and 104 (2.9%), respectively. The overall incidence of the outcome was 0.7%, including 10 cases of message chat, 16 cases of voice calls, and no cases of video calls. There were no emergency visits due to inappropriate advice. No significant difference in the proportions of the outcomes was observed between the communication tools (P = 0.549). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences in the outcome between those who utilized message chats and voice calls (odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence intervals, 0.73 – 3.65).
Conclusions:
The communication tools of telehealth services in obstetrics and gynecology did not show a significant difference in terms of emergency visits or hospitalization after availing the service.
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