AN INTEGRATED CARE MODEL BASED ON HOSPITAL AND HOME DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: TELEHEALTH

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to present the details of a successfully implemented telehealth model in a university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Istanbul Faculty of Medicine is a university hospital where the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Turkey was detected. In IFM, patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and received outpatient or inpatient treatment were followed up by telehealth for 21-28 days after leaving the hospital. The distinguishing features of this service are the provision of remote outpatient clinical monitoring personally by physicians and the use of web-based IP information technologies. Results: Between March 15 and July 1, 2020, 1,042 individuals were followed up at least once, 860 patients for 21 days or more by the 26 physicians providing the telehealth service. A total of 11,736 calls were made by the physicians and 7,342 of those calls were answered and a total of 1,086 calls were made by patients. The median number of calls per patient was 4 (1-23). The median duration of the completed calls was 2.8 min (<1–50 min). During these follow-ups patients were informed about the importance of isolation. Most of the patients expressed their satisfaction with these follow-ups by thanking the calling physician. Conclusion: In a pandemic such as COVID-19, telehealth services may increase adherence to treatment and isolation precautions among patients with diseases that require follow-up without hospitalization after diagnosis. Telehealth will facilitate early recognition of symptoms that may require hospitalization, ensuring these patients receive the care they need. Therefore, this approach should be widely adopted.