Orthopedic Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
Remote consultation/*methods, Orthopaedics methods, Telemedicine, Follow-up study, Ambulatory care
Brief summary
Patients from 4 local communities in northern Norway referred (either new or follow up) to orthopaedic department, University hospital of Northern Norway for outpatient consultation, are randomly assigned to either remote consultation by use of telemedicine (camera and screen), or standard consultation at the hospital. There are x-ray facilities also at the remote site. The patients randomized to telemedicine consultation meet special trained nurses at the remote site, but doctor only by video conference. The patients will be followed for up to one year. The primary endpoint is quality of care achieved with the telemedicine consultation as compared to standard outpatient consultation (assessed by questionnaires filled out by the doctor involved). Secondary end points are patient satisfaction assessed by questionnaires and economic analyses. The study hypothesis is non-inferiority of telemedicine consultation vs. conventional, outpatient consultation.
Interventions
Outpatient consultation by help of telemedicine (video conference)
OTHERStandard care in orthopaedic outpatient clinic
Standard care in orthopedic outpatient clinic (usual care)
Sponsors
Helse Nord
University Hospital of North Norway
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Informed consent given * New referred patients to orthopaedic department (outpatient), UNN, for conditions suitable for telemedicine consultation * Follow up consultation of trauma patients (operated/not operated) * Follow up consultation after elective orthopaedic surgery (e.g hip prothesis) * Follow up of other orthopaedic patients
Exclusion criteria
* Senile dementia * Soldiers, prisoners * Patients not talking Norwegian, dependent on translator * If specialized procedures are required during follow up (e.g. cat-scan, ultrasound etc) * Patients requiring a specific doctor
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Safety and quality of health care | 1 year |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient satisfaction | up to 1 year after last consultation | Patient satisfaction will be measured based on a total score calculated on the basis of responses to satisfaction questionnaire. Questionnaires will be filled out at each visit/consultation and at 3 months or one year after last consultation. |
| Cost value | up to 1 year | Travel expenses, escort expenses, equipment and other costs related to patient consultation |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed