None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate the efficacy and acceptability of telemedicine vs. traditional in-person follow-up for patients undergoing uncomplicated general surgical procedures. These general surgical procedures include appendectomies, umbilical and inguinal hernia repairs, and cholecystectomies.
Interventions
Scheduled telephone call at the three-week post-operative time point completed by the general surgical doctor. There is no time limit for the telephone call, however the duration of the conversation is recorded.
A case report form is recorded to capture each patient's
(a) histopathology results
(b) length of consultation
(c) post-operative progression (fevers, pain, pain relief method, tenderness, wound healing, discharge, return to activities, return to work, exercise)
(d) General (bowels, st
Scheduled telephone call at the three-week post-operative time point completed by the general surgical doctor. There is no time limit for the telephone call, however the duration of the conversation is recorded. A case report form is recorded to capture each patient's (a) histopathology results (b) length of consultation (c) post-operative progression (fevers, pain, pain relief method, tenderness, wound healing, discharge, return to activities, return to work, exercise) (d) General (bowels, stools, diet, urination, any concerns) (e) Safe to discharge patient? if no, patient is booked in for an in clinic appointment (f) Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire
Sponsors
St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Research Endowment Fund
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
St Vincent's Melbourne Public Hospital Patients undergoing: Laparoscopic appendectomy Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Laparoscopic/open inguinal hernia repair Laparoscopic/open umbilical hernia repair
Exclusion criteria
Patients unable to give consent themselves must be excluded from the study Patients requiring an interpreter should be excluded from the study Any patients without a phone number Any Clavien Dindo 3 and above complication Prisoners Overseas patients Patients who cannot attend an appointment within 3- 8 weeks post-surgery. Procedure specific exclusions: Laparoscopic Appendectomy:- Patients identified as having a perforated appendix associated with four - quadrant pus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy:- Any procedure starting as laparoscopic but converted to open Laparoscopic or Open Umbilical/Inguinal Hernia Repair:- Hernia defect identified as being in the scrotum and containing bowel is to be excluded (for inguinal hernia) – Giant ilioscrotal
Outcome results
None listed