Rethink Thoracic Surgery as a Whole after the Pandemic: How to Optimize Resources and Deliver Excellent Patient Care

Se-In Choe and Yaron Shargall*

Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, McMaster University, Canada

^*Correspondance to: Yaron Shargall 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3468

Abstract

Telemedicine has recently emerged as a powerful tool in healthcare delivery in various surgical specialties. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have challenged care of surgical patients, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Previously predominant in-person clinic visits of postoperative patients have been shifted to a virtual platform for patients' evaluation and follow-ups. Current literature indicates that there is no difference in postoperative emergency department visits and 30-day readmission rates between virtual and in-person clinic visits. In addition, virtual platforms offer several advantages, such as good clinical outcomes, enhanced patient satisfaction, increased accessibility to timely care, reduced cost, travel and waiting times. Thoracic surgeons should recognize the value of telemedicine and continue adopting and developing the practice as the new norm. We suggest that if given an appropriate virtual system, most elective thoracic oncology resections could be followed virtually post hospital discharge.

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Cite the article

Se-In Choe, Shargall Y. Rethink Thoracic Surgery as a Whole after the Pandemic: How to Optimize Resources and Deliver Excellent Patient Care. Clin Surg. 2022; 7: 3468..