A Comparison of In-Person and Telemedicine Triage in Otolaryngology

The integration of virtual visits has been met with skepticism by many surgical specialties, including otolaryngology, due to the lack of a complete physical exam. Analysis of differences in the workup between patients triaged virtually or in-person is warranted.

A chart review was performed for a cohort of adults undergoing septoplasty (January 2021-May 2022). Groups (telemedicine, in-person) were compared by 2-sample t-test and chi-square test to determine the difference in the number of preoperative visits and to assess the variation in patients with preoperative laboratory testing, imaging, or referrals.

Of 338 patients, initial evaluation was in-person for 225 (66.5%) and via telemedicine for 113 (33.5%). The groups were similar in demographics (mean age 39.1 years for telemedicine vs 38.8 years for in-person, female 28.9% vs male 37.7%, P = 0.088). The telemedicine group had a significantly higher number of preoperative visits (3.03) compared to the in-person group (2.38, P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in patients who underwent preoperative laboratory testing, imaging, or referrals. Patients triaged via telemedicine experienced a shorter time to surgery compared to those triaged in person (434 vs 208, P = 0.003).

In this cohort, triage by telemedicine allowed otolaryngology patients to have an expedited path to surgery despite having more visits. There is no evidence to suggest that otolaryngologists had an overreliance on diagnostic modalities when triaging by telemedicine.

Among patients undergoing septoplasty, those initially evaluated by telemedicine were more likely to have more preoperative visits and shorter time to surgery than those evaluated in person. Telemedicine can serve as an effective method for triaging surgical patients without excess diagnostics.