University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021 Oct;130(10):1105-1111. doi: 10.1177/0003489421997651. Epub 2021 Feb 25.
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a period of social isolation that has challenged the ability of providers to uphold in-person patient care. Although commonplace in pediatric otolaryngology, multidisciplinary clinics pose a unique challenge during this time due to increased infection risk from multiple patient-provider interactions. Guidance on the application of telemedicine for multidisciplinary clinics in pediatric otolaryngology is limited.
We provide comprehensive guidance on best practices for conducting telemedicine visits for a number of multidisciplinary otolaryngology clinics using our experiences at a single tertiary care children's hospital. A review of literature to support the adoption of telemedicine in multidisciplinary pediatric otolaryngology is also incorporated.
Telemedicine was successfully adopted for 7 multidisciplinary pediatric clinics with a variety of specialists: aerodigestive disorders, congenital hearing loss, microtia/aural atresia, orofacial clefting, sleep disorders, tracheostomy care, and velopharyngeal dysfunction.
Telemedicine is feasible for a variety of multidisciplinary clinics and its optimization is critical for providing care to complex pediatric otolaryngology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
COVID-19 大流行带来了一段社会隔离期，这对医疗服务提供者维持面对面的患者护理能力提出了挑战。尽管在儿科耳鼻喉科中很常见，但多学科诊所在此期间带来了独特的挑战，因为多次医患互动会增加感染风险。目前，关于在儿科耳鼻喉科多学科诊所应用远程医疗的指南有限。
我们利用一家三级儿童医院的经验，为多种多学科耳鼻喉科诊所开展远程医疗访问提供了全面的最佳实践指南。还对支持在多学科儿科耳鼻喉科中采用远程医疗的文献进行了回顾。
7 种多学科儿科诊所（包括呼吸道疾病、先天性听力损失、小耳畸形/耳闭锁、口面裂、睡眠障碍、气管造口术护理和腭咽功能障碍）成功采用了远程医疗。
远程医疗适用于多种多学科诊所，其优化对于在 COVID-19 大流行期间及以后为复杂的儿科耳鼻喉科患者提供护理至关重要。
