Investigating the impact of remote visits on patients in hospitals with restricted visiting conditions

Following the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that began in 2020, contact between hospitalized patients and their families was significantly restricted to prevent infection. In May 2023, COVID-19 was classified as a Class 5 infectious disease by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Although restrictions have gradually been lifted in some areas, at the time of writing this report, our hospital has not lifted all visit restrictions. Understandably, patients in this situation experience mental distress due to a lack of support from family, friends, or partners. Although remote visits have been introduced as an alternative to in-person visits, their effectiveness remains unclear. In this study, we report three cases in which we examine the impact of remote visits via electronic devices on patients who were unable to receive in-person visits.

Among the inpatients referred to our hospital's palliative care team from April 2022 to March 2023, three who requested remote visits due to psychological distress caused by the inability to see their families were enrolled in this study.

The degree of psychological distress in all cases reduced after conducting remote visits. However, cancer-related pain (in two patients) and postoperative wound pain (in one patient) showed no significant differences in severity. In one patient, anxiety was evoked following a remote visit. This was attributed to the patient's realization of their isolation from their family.

For patients whose family members are unable to conduct in-person visits due to visit restrictions for various reasons, remote visits may help alleviate psychological distress. Since remote visits can cause adverse emotional reactions in some cases, monitoring the mental status during and after remote visits is necessary.