The impact of COVID-19 telehealth on outpatient test completion

BACKGROUND

Pathology and imaging tests are frequently requested in the outpatient setting despite historically poor completion rates. The impact of COVID-19 telehealth on test completion rates is unknown.

AIMS

To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and telehealth transition on pathology and imaging test request and completion rates in Australian outpatient clinics.

METHODS

We performed a prospective cohort study with historical controls between March-May 2019 and March-May 2020. Pathology and imaging request and completion rates were collected in review consultation patients attending Gastroenterology and Rheumatology outpatient clinics at a tertiary healthcare system prior and during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne.

RESULTS

1376 patients were included in the study. Pathology tests were requested more frequently in the COVID-19 group (n = 582/684, 85.2%) than control group (n = 492/692, 71.1%, p < 0.001) but completion rates were lower in the COVID-19 group (n = 443/582, 76.1%) than control group (n = 426/492 (86.6%), p < 0.001). Imaging tests were requested more frequently in the COVID-19 group (n = 345/682, 50.6%) than control group (n = 295/692, 42.6%, p = 0.003) with lower rates of completion in the COVID-19 group (n = 229/345, 66.4%) then control group (n = 247/295, 83.7%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic and telehealth transition has resulted in more frequent pathology and imaging requests but fewer test completion in the outpatients setting. This study has identified new clinical risks associated with the abrupt transition to telehealth during COVID-19 that should be explored in future studies and appropriately mitigated. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.