Using telehealth for oral medicine patient management during the COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

Aim: To investigate patient and clinician feedback on remote telehealth consultations to determine their feasibility for use as an adjunct service. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation of satisfaction with telehealth consultations. In total, one oral medicine specialist, four dentists and 88 patients were surveyed. Results: A total of 88 video consultations were completed with patients in Christchurch and Wellington hospitals. There was always a dentist present with the patient during the consultation. Overall, 95.5% of patients found the experience to be comfortable, with no systematic differences by sex, age, ethnicity or reason for the visit. Most patients were satisfied with the treatment received during the video consultations. Fewer patients who presented with pain were satisfied with the treatment received than were those who presented with oral mucosal disorders or other issues (61.8%, 75.0% and 76.9%, respectively). Both the oral medicine specialist and clinicians involved found the process comfortable and did not find diagnostic capabilities to be compromised. Conclusion: Video telehealth might be a valid alternative or adjunct to face-to-face consultations. This may open the way for remote video consultations to improve the availability of oral medicine services in rural areas.