Hertling S, Hertling D, Loos F, Martin D, Graul I. Digitization in gynecology and obstetrics in times of COVID-19: Results of a national survey.
Internet Interv 2021;
26:100478. [PMID:
34786351 DOI:
10.1016/j.invent.2021.100478]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
In the COVID-19 pandemic, many consultations had to be cancelled, postponed, or converted to a virtual format. The use of telemedicine in the management of Women's Health Care could support doctors (tele-gynecology). This study analyses the use and perception of telemedicine applications among gynecologists in Germany.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective cross-sectional study was based on a survey of gynecologists in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and regression analyses were performed to show correlations.
RESULTS
The gynecologists expect telemedicine to be used in gynecology and obstetrics. 76.4% (365/478) of the respondents rated their knowledge of telemedicine as insufficient. The majority of respondents (437/478, 91.6%) said they did not currently use telemedicine, although 67.3% (321/478) would like to do so. Obstacles to the introduction of telemedicine include the purchase of technical equipment (325/478, 68.1%), administration (305/478, 64.0%) and poor reimbursement (233/478, 48.9%). Gynecologists surveyed would prefer telemedicine to communicate directly with other doctors (388/478, 81.2%) rather than to communicate with patients (228/478, 47.8%). In the treatment phases, 73.2% (349/478) of the respondents would use telemedicine during follow-up. Half of the respondents would choose tele counseling as a specific approach to improving care (246/478, 51.5%).
CONCLUSION
Telemedicine in gynecology finds little use but high acceptance. The absence of a structured framework is an obstacle to effective implementation. Training courses should be introduced to improve the limited knowledge in the use of telemedicine. More research in tele-gynecology is needed. These include large-scale randomized controlled trials, economic analyses and the exploration of user preferences.
Collapse